churches

Definition of churchesnext
plural of church
1
as in temples
a building for public worship and especially Christian worship a city that is noted for its many historic churches

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2
as in congregations
a body of persons gathered for religious worship spoke to the whole church at once

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of churches Along with their official duties, Rockingham said the group also had time to visit some of Rome’s significant sites, from a number of famous old churches to some of the remnants of ancient Rome, like the Colosseum. Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026 For these folks, churches are superfluous — at best. Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026 During the holiday weekend, Orlando-area churches, businesses and attractions plan to host families for Easter egg hunts and activities. Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026 The history of Spain is written in the architecture of its churches. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026 In conversations with other churches and their leaders, Lewis said, elders determined that holding two services on Sundays allows congregants to attend one and serve at the other. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026 The next day representatives of various organizations and churches met to discuss police harassment as part of the political repression of the Young Lords. Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026 Landon received donations from police unions and business groups, while Andreatta received donations from churches and farms. Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026 Glad-handing in New Hampshire at diners and churches isn’t likely to excite him. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for churches
Noun
  • Many Jews have stopped attending temples that refused to acknowledge their concerns about Israel.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Haedong Yonggungsa Temple has become one of the most recognizable temples in Busan, South Korea, but beyond its beauty, there’s a deep and surprising history.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, one of the largest synagogue congregations in the country, rocked the community.
    Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Conservative congregations are different from conservatism in the political sense, Honig explained, but the terms are often conflated.
    Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • His high school gym was not the massive cathedrals built to serve the altars of Hoosier hysteria, but with 4,620 seats, the Greenfield Cougar Den is no slouch, either.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The problem is those cathedrals couldn’t move.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Churches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/churches. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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