monastic

play

adjective mo·nas·tic \mə-ˈnas-tik\

Definition of monastic

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

monastically

play \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

monasticism

play \-tə-ˌsi-zəm\ noun

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Examples of monastic in a Sentence

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 of monastic from the Web

The creepy beasties in the Nelson’s painting tempt the monastic St. Anthony with food, booze and gruesome thoughts.

— david frese, kansascity.com, "Rare Bosch painting, just one of five in U.S., finally on display at the Nelson", 28 June 2017
And yet Sullivan proves to be just as deft and insightful about the complementary challenges that a monastic family faces.

— ron charles, chicagotribune.com, "J. Courtney Sullivan's 'Saints for All Occasions' is this year's best book about family", 15 May 2017
Her work is illuminating for its taut blend of sombre, monastic progressions and theatrical vocalizing reminiscent of downtown street performance, a whimsical twist on the secular hymns of Leonard Cohen.

— The New Yorker, "Baby Dee", 31 Mar. 2017
The Hinayana school stressed the importance of monastic life as the only real path to liberation.

— chandrahas choudhury, WSJ, "The Buddha’s Brilliant Deception", 22 Dec. 2016
Many of the women who buy their clothes, which are elegant and faintly monastic, are decades older than the designers, who are not yet 30.

— matthew schneier, New York Times, "Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Make a Home for the Row in New York", 25 May 2016
Mustachianism is similar to one of my areas of study: the neo-monastic movement in the United States.

— ian parker, The New Yorker, "The Mail", 4 Apr. 2016
Germany—is a weeklong program, bookended by medical exams, in a sleek new monastic setting.

— alex postman, Condé Nast Traveler, "Why Your Next Vacation Should Include a Doctor's Visit", 29 Mar. 2016
Even non-monastic Tibetans are struggling with Chinese regulations.

— lois parshley, The Atlantic, "Why Are Tibetan Monks Setting Themselves on Fire?", 17 Jan. 2012

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.