ecclesiastical

adjective

ec·cle·si·as·ti·cal | \ i-ˌklē-zē-ˈa-sti-kəl

, e-ˌklē-\

Definition of ecclesiastical

1 : of or relating to a church especially as an established institution

2 : suitable for use in a church

Other Words from ecclesiastical Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about ecclesiastical

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Synonyms & Antonyms for ecclesiastical

Synonyms

churchly, ecclesial, ecclesiastic

Antonyms

nonchurch, nonecclesiastical

Examples of ecclesiastical in a Sentence

ecclesiastical laws that have been in existence for centuries

Recent Examples on the Web

Above all, John provoked the most effective baronial and ecclesiastical revolt of the Middle Ages and endured the humiliation of submitting to its demands. — Allan Massie, WSJ, "‘The Restless Kings’ Review: A Family at War With Itself," 11 Jan. 2019 Ninomiya’s all-black ensembles underlined his inventive use of fabric, while Piccioli’s colorful nylon capes suggested ecclesiastical astronauts. — Erik Maza, Town & Country, "The Reimagining of a Classic Moncler Jacket," 20 Nov. 2018 Among the high-level ecclesiastical officials implicated in the report is Donald Wuerl, currently the archbishop of Washington, DC. — Tara Isabella Burton, Vox, "Scathing report reveals 300 Pennsylvania Catholic priests sexually abused over 1,000 children," 19 Oct. 2018 After shuttering that brand in 2008, Pons took on a range of varied projects, including commissions for ecclesiastical vestments and protective, technical garments for the military. — Vogue, "¡Hola, Muchache! Sebastián Pons Launches a New Gender-Fluid, One-Size-Fits-All Line From Majorca," 18 July 2018 Father Theodore McCarrick was a New Jersey priest, whose charisma and intelligence had already set him on a clear course to rise in the Catholic ecclesiastical hierarchy. — Tara Isabella Burton, Vox, "A Catholic cardinal has weathered sex abuse allegations for years. Now they’re finally public," 29 July 2018 The state confiscated most ecclesiastical property. — Michael Khodarkovsky, WSJ, "Russia Wages a Religious War Against Ukraine," 30 Sep. 2018 In May 2011, the man filed a complaint with Peru’s ecclesiastical court that was forwarded to the Vatican. — Marcelo RochabrÚn And Andrea Zarate, New York Times, "Sex Abuse Case Shadows Pope Francis’ Visit to Peru," 17 Jan. 2018 Sessions now faces an ecclesiastical trial and, potentially, expulsion from his church. — Tara Isabella Burton, Vox, "Pope Francis condemns Trump’s family separation policy," 20 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ecclesiastical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.