the Reformation
noun
: the 16th-century religious movement that led to the establishment of the Protestant churches
Examples of the Reformation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
During the Reformation, villagers could put big questions—whether to turn Protestant or remain Catholic—to a vote.
—
Simon Akam, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Advised by Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell, who sincerely believed in the Reformation, Henry started with accusations of corruption and immorality in the Church, then used intimidation and changes to the law to transfer all the wealth and land to himself.
—Literary Hub, 29 Oct. 2025
Martin Luther and the Reformation On Oct. 31, 1517, Martin Luther, an ex-law student and former monk, boldly published his Ninety-Five Theses.
—Penelope Geng, The Conversation, 27 Oct. 2025
The service marked the first time a British monarch has prayed with a pope in public since the Reformation in the 16th Century.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Tallis continued to have a successful career after the Reformation, despite never renouncing his Catholic faith.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Like the Reformation, which led to the religious breakup of the Holy Roman Empire of Charles V, today’s crisis has geopolitical dimensions.
—Massimo Faggioli, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2018
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Simon Akam, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Advised by Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell, who sincerely believed in the Reformation, Henry started with accusations of corruption and immorality in the Church, then used intimidation and changes to the law to transfer all the wealth and land to himself.
—Literary Hub, 29 Oct. 2025
Martin Luther and the Reformation On Oct. 31, 1517, Martin Luther, an ex-law student and former monk, boldly published his Ninety-Five Theses.
—Penelope Geng, The Conversation, 27 Oct. 2025
The service marked the first time a British monarch has prayed with a pope in public since the Reformation in the 16th Century.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Tallis continued to have a successful career after the Reformation, despite never renouncing his Catholic faith.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Like the Reformation, which led to the religious breakup of the Holy Roman Empire of Charles V, today’s crisis has geopolitical dimensions.
—Massimo Faggioli, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2018
Cite this Entry
“The Reformation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20Reformation. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
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