churchly

adjective

church·​ly ˈchərch-lē 

1

: of or relating to a church

churchly authority

2

: suitable to or suggestive of a church

a churchly setting

3

: adhering to a church

a churchly community

4

: churchy sense 1

churchliness noun

Synonyms

• ecclesiastical
• ecclesiastic
• religious

Examples of churchly in a Sentence

refused to discuss churchly matters except on Sundays

Recent Examples on the Web

That theme, explored with light wit and deep humanity, makes this unabashedly churchly novel strikingly relevant to our conflicted political era. —Washington Post, 3 May 2022

The singer and rapper’s weary tales arrive with churchly trills, nu-metal groans, quiet-storm beats, and zero concern for coolness. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 14 Dec. 2021

Besides, the current Francis seems revolutionary enough for an era of ecological crisis, humanitarian disaster, and churchly scandal, especially since Wenders has the pope on camera directly sharing his thoughts with the audience. —Ty Burr, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2018

Black leather Versace motorcycle jackets sport jeweled crucifixes inspired by Byzantine mosaics, blending edgy coolness with churchly devotion. —Rhonda Garelick, The Cut, 10 May 2018

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1