altars

plural of altar
as in pulpits
a table or place which serves as a center of worship or ritual There was a small altar at the front of the room with candles on it.

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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 altars The event has grown over the years in both community support and interest in setting up altars. Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025 As part of the holiday, which is rooted in indigenous culture, families will create a trail of marigold petals from their front doors to their altars to help guide spirits home. Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025 Recuerdos Ilustrados celebrates Día de los Muertos journeying through life, love and death through contemporary altars and artwork by artists Álvaro Márquez, Stephanie Mercado and Daniel Villa. Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025 Some people choose to make these altars for their beloved pets too, and include items such as dog toys on the ofrenda. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025 Families gather to celebrate Day of the Dead at the Dia de los Muertos Festival and 5k at Forest Home Cemetery and Arboretum with food, music and ofrendas, altars that honor the dead. Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 25 Oct. 2025 Of course, a highlight of the free event is the display of colorful altars at the Mexican Heritage Plaza and at surrounding businesses on Alum Rock Avenue stretching west toward Highway 101. Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2025 Common to Day of the Dead celebrations are ofrendas or altars honoring those who have died and are being remembered, and marigolds are central to the decorations. Heather McRea, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025 Before the invention of photography, these edible effigies were placed on altars as representations of the deceased. Luisa Navarro, Saveur, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altars
pulpits
Noun
  • Hillsides and fields that were once mosaics of blue phlox, wood poppies and Jack-in-the-pulpits have become swaths of monochrome yellow.
    Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Among that past ministry work was that of City of Refuge, a program administered by FBC Woodstock for pastors who vacated their pulpits due to burn out or disciplinary reasons.
    Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Altars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altars. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.

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