variants or less commonly synagog
Synonyms of synagoguenext
1
: a Jewish congregation
2
: the house of worship and communal center of a Jewish congregation

Examples of synagogue in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Advocates gathered outside the synagogue in Midtown Wednesday. Ali Bauman, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 While being escorted out of the synagogue by security, Montes allegedly struck a 63-year-old woman who was attending the services, cutting her lip and bruising her arm, and headbutted a security guard and uttered a racial slur, according to police. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026 But congregants at the Midtown synagogue didn’t let the violence stop them from finishing the Shabbat service, according to Central Synagogue’s senior rabbi. Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026 Following the incident, police officers were deployed to the synagogue for security as Shabbat services continued into Saturday. David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for synagogue

Word History

Etymology

Middle English synagoge, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin synagoga, from Greek synagōgē assembly, synagogue, from synagein to bring together, from syn- + agein to lead — more at agent

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of synagogue was in the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Synagogue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synagogue. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

synagogue

noun
syn·​a·​gogue
1
: a Jewish congregation
2
: the house of worship of a Jewish congregation
Etymology

Middle English synagoge "a Jewish congregation," from early French synagoge (same meaning), from Latin synagoga (same meaning), from Greek synagōgē "synagogue, assembly," from synagein "to bring together," from syn- "together with" and agein "to lead" — related to synonymous

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