1
as in temples
a building for public worship and especially Christian worship
a city that is noted for its many historic churches
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in congregations
a body of persons gathered for religious worship
spoke to the whole church at once
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in clergies
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 churches
Those churches serve as the focal points of the resilience corridor.
—
Nakell Williams, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Before production, Nierenberg, who is white, spent more than a year in African American churches and communities, gaining the trust of the performers.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026
Another 40 would sleep on cots at the shelter, and 20 more would stay in overflow spots at local churches, said Hannah Smith, the organization’s director of shelter services.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
Its architect, Nicholas Hawksmoor, designed six London churches that have acquired a strange reputation.
—Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Then there are the people who load up their car with food, toiletries, and school supplies from churches or schools to take to families in hiding.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
Schools, churches, other services This story will be updated.
—Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 27 Jan. 2026
In addition to First Presbyterian and City of Light, other Aurora churches with centers include Redeemer, Oasis, Village Bible and Westminster, which opened its center a few months ago.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
In one of the largest mass abductions targeting religious worship centers in the West African nation in recent months, the attackers on Sunday raided three different churches in Kaduna state's Kajuru council area, seizing 177 people before 11 managed to escape.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Jan. 2026
Nakell Williams, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Before production, Nierenberg, who is white, spent more than a year in African American churches and communities, gaining the trust of the performers.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026
Another 40 would sleep on cots at the shelter, and 20 more would stay in overflow spots at local churches, said Hannah Smith, the organization’s director of shelter services.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
Its architect, Nicholas Hawksmoor, designed six London churches that have acquired a strange reputation.
—Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Then there are the people who load up their car with food, toiletries, and school supplies from churches or schools to take to families in hiding.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
Schools, churches, other services This story will be updated.
—Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 27 Jan. 2026
In addition to First Presbyterian and City of Light, other Aurora churches with centers include Redeemer, Oasis, Village Bible and Westminster, which opened its center a few months ago.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
In one of the largest mass abductions targeting religious worship centers in the West African nation in recent months, the attackers on Sunday raided three different churches in Kaduna state's Kajuru council area, seizing 177 people before 11 managed to escape.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for churches
Noun
-
In Kyoto, tranquil temples and classic tea houses reveal a more traditional side of Japan.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The trio also offers a range of travel styles, such as chasing eclipses from Arctic and Mediterranean cruise ships in 2026, photographing the eclipsed sun above ancient temples in 2027, and combining stargazing and Outback road trips in 2028.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
All of this has left room for upstarts such as Douglas Wilson’s Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, a growing network of more than 150 Christian-nationalist congregations.—
Hillary Rodham Clinton,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Today, as a result of California’s law, at least 80 congregations in Los Angeles are exploring housing projects on their lands, according to Barragán’s office.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Carved from porous tufa stone once covered by the sea, the four wine cathedrals are considered an engineering marvel.—
Irene S. Levine,
Forbes.com,
17 Jan. 2026
-
Gothic architecture, on the other hand, focused on height and light; despite being constructed from heavy stone, Gothic cathedrals seem to defy the laws of gravity.—
Stefanie Waldek,
Architectural Digest,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Churches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/churches. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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