APOSTOLIC Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

apostolic

adjective

Definition of apostolic

as in episcopal

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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 apostolic Like his apostolic namesake, Thomas believes unquestioningly in the evidence of his senses. — Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026 Pope Leo at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa on Monday, the second day of his apostolic visit to Lebanon. — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 3 Dec. 2025 All those present in the audience in the Vatican’s apostolic palace met Leo personally at the end, with Lee presenting the first American pope with a New York Knicks jersey. — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025 Until then, Vigneron will serve as apostolic administrator for the Detroit archdiocese. — Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for apostolic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apostolic

Adjective

After returning to the United States, Novakovic attended an Episcopal boarding school in San Antonio, Texas.

— byRachel Cole, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 May 2026
On New Year’s Eve in 1996, Christou followed Deadbeat with a club at a former Episcopal church that was built in 1865.

— Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 26 Feb. 2026

Definition of episcopal

Adjective

The group formed after students went viral for holding a mock papal election in their classroom.

— Darius Johnson, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Church officials in Argentina, the homeland of Leo's predecessor Pope Francis, urged parishioners to put the pontiff's well-being ahead of their excitement over the country’s first papal visit in four decades.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of papal

Adjective

Over the past several decades, however, a growing percentage of people in Latin America, long a Catholic stronghold, have been embracing evangelical churches.

— Johanna Bard Richlin, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026
Wisely, our Fathers chose a secular people-friendly format not subject to papal or evangelical or ayatollah decree.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of evangelical

Adjective

By the 1980s, England was beginning its turn away from churchgoing as a cornerstone of society, so nothing as extroverted or nakedly clerical as gospel choirs would fit a downcast, monochromatic land anyhow.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
Rubio said the inclusive presentation was in keeping with the effort, begun by Pope Francis, to make the church less clerical and more reflective of the real world.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of clerical

Adjective

This week in Riyadh, another ministerial gathering took place.

— Wael Mahdi, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Reuters said a ministerial meeting of the International Energy Forum is also set to take place, with its plenary session to be held behind closed doors.

— Azhar Sukri,Terri Cullen, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of ministerial

Adjective

This seasonal pastoral journey, known as transhumance, defines a semi-nomadic way of life that is rapidly disappearing.

— Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
These new or renovated getaways offer opportunities to bask in the season’s pastoral and cultural delights in comfort.

— Stephanie Rosenbloom, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of pastoral

Adjective

In another decree published Monday, Leo canceled Francis’ plans to move some of the Vatican’s secret archives and library holdings out of the city state and onto the grounds of a pontifical university across town.

— Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Leo opened his visit to Pompeii by meeting with sick and disabled people who are cared for by a charity center affiliated with the sanctuary, which Leo’s namesake, Pope Leo XIII, declared a pontifical basilica in 1901.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026

Definition of pontifical

Browse Nearby Words

apostles

apostolic

apothecaries

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“Apostolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apostolic. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of apostolic

adjective

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