monastic

adjective

mo·nas·tic | \ mə-ˈna-stik

Definition of monastic

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : of or relating to monasteries or to monks or nuns the rituals of monastic life

2 : resembling (as in seclusion or ascetic simplicity) life in a monastery shows a monastic dedication to his job

monastic

noun

plural monastics

Definition of monastic (Entry 2 of 2)

: a member of a monastic order : a person (such as a monk) who lives under religious vows Monastics are people who … every day try hard to become part of a community — to relinquish aspects of the very egoism the rest of us spend our lives, in various ways, trying to enhance.— Robert Coles

Other Words from monastic More Example Sentences Learn More about monastic

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Other Words from monastic

Adjective

monastically \ mə-ˈna-sti-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

monasticism \ mə-ˈna-stə-ˌsi-zəm

\ noun

Examples of monastic in a Sentence

Adjective

He founded a monastic order in Belgium. He shows a monastic dedication to his job. She studied for the test with monastic zeal.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

From Angkor Thom, venture east on the Little Circuit of stunning monastic complexes and smaller temples. — Kareena Gianani, National Geographic, "Explore Cambodia’s ancient stone city," 10 Sep. 2019 Minutes later, a monastic aide rushed in and confirmed that someone had thrown a Molotov cocktail at a nearby mosque. — Hannah Beech, New York Times, "‘Our Duty to Fight’: The Rise of Militant Buddhism," 8 July 2019 The town of Göreme, in a region first settled during Roman times, emerged as a center of monastic activity in the fourth century when Christian communities created subterranean communities and frescoed sanctuaries that visitors can see today. — George W. Stone, National Geographic, "Dinosaurs to gladiators: 10 World Heritage trips for families," 16 Aug. 2019 Teddy has lived an almost monastic life, buffeted by depression and other ailments. — Ron Charles, Dallas News, "In Richard Russo's 'Chances Are...,' a charming reunion unearths a chilling disappearance," 30 July 2019 Teddy has lived an almost monastic life, buffeted by depression and other ailments. — Ron Charles Critic, Washington Post, "In Richard Russo’s ‘Chances Are,’ a charming reunion unearths a chilling disappearance," 29 July 2019 Considering this Ellicott City site’s past as a female boarding school, the king of Navarre, Ferdinand (Jonathan Jacobs), seems unlikely to fulfill his near-monastic plans. — Mike Giuliano, baltimoresun.com, "Resistance is futile in Shakespeare's 'Love's Labour's Lost' in Ellicott City," 5 July 2019 For 15 years, Leung lived the almost monastic life of an elite athlete, training twice a day, for 35 hours a week, missing most of the traditional teenage rites of passage like football games and school dances. — Alice Park, Time, "Can Anyone Save the Scandal-Plagued USA Gymnastics? Li Li Leung Is Determined to Try," 13 June 2019 At Jil Sander and Loewe, the look had a covered-up, monastic air to it, but the street style takes were a bit more eccentric. — Vogue, "Eccentric Layering Was the Trickle-Up Trend That Ruled on and off the Fall 2019 Runways," 11 Mar. 2019

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