1
2
as in congregation
a body of persons gathered for religious worship
spoke to the whole church at once
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in clergy
the group ordained to perform clerical functions in the Christian church
a time when few young men seem to want to join the church
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of church
The Charlotte Ledger first reported on the Levine’s interest in purchasing the church in September.
—
Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 28 Jan. 2026
The report was based on two YouGov polls from 2018 and 2024, recording that the number of people who attended church at least once a month rose from 8% in 2018 to 12% in 2024.
—Will Barker, TheWeek, 28 Jan. 2026
Growing up nearby, the painter Leon Kossoff, son of Russian Jewish immigrants, could not escape the presence of the church, alien and haughty, in a district that had become an almost entirely Jewish quarter.
—Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The royal sisters and their husbands joined King Charles and other members of the royal family for the traditional church outing at Sandringham on Christmas, aligning themselves with the monarchy while their parents were banished from the gathering.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for church
Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 28 Jan. 2026
The report was based on two YouGov polls from 2018 and 2024, recording that the number of people who attended church at least once a month rose from 8% in 2018 to 12% in 2024.
—Will Barker, TheWeek, 28 Jan. 2026
Growing up nearby, the painter Leon Kossoff, son of Russian Jewish immigrants, could not escape the presence of the church, alien and haughty, in a district that had become an almost entirely Jewish quarter.
—Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The royal sisters and their husbands joined King Charles and other members of the royal family for the traditional church outing at Sandringham on Christmas, aligning themselves with the monarchy while their parents were banished from the gathering.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for church
Recent Examples of Synonyms for church
Noun
-
At Viktor & Rolf, for one, models had face-framing below-the-chin braids with blush carried above the temple by makeup artist Ana Takahashi.—
Essence,
Essence,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Based near the northern city of Chiang Rai, this is one of Thailand’s most extraordinary Buddhist temples.—
Vicky Smith,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Welcome Baptist Church reports the shooting did not involve members of the congregation.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The greenery, towering 20 feet above the congregation, brought scents of the forest into the Abbey, and it was said at the time to reflect the couple’s love of the countryside.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Iran’s ruling clergy have weathered huge protests many times before.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
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Replaced by sycophants and suffocated by the clergy’s interference in daily life, this class has long since lost faith in the system.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Some folks were already on their way to church—either to the gillage’s tiny chapel or to a large Fundamentalist church in the village.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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Erected in a classic Victorian style, the yellow estate sits on 13 acres of land, which includes a putting green, a croquet lawn, and a chapel.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Those early Moody Center nights helped establish the venue as a pop cathedral — a place where feelings are not just allowed but encouraged at full volume.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
22 Jan. 2026
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Aside from its elegant square dominated by a Baroque cathedral, a must-see is the sprawling Monastery of Santa Catalina, built in 1579, set against volcanos in the horizon.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Communion rails were removed, ramps up to the altar were added, and the tabernacle was moved behind the altar.—
Sophie Carson,
jsonline.com,
23 Dec. 2025
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André called his wardrobe his armor, his tabernacle and his sanctuary.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
13 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Church.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/church. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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