1
as in apostolic
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2
as in authoritative
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of canonical
Despite Dickens’ canonical reputation, the author of door-stoppers such as Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickeleby, the stench of the entrepreneurial still hangs about him.
—
Ed Simon
july 21, Literary Hub, 21 July 2025
Then there’s a twist and reveal that becomes a canonical betrayal completely unsupported by coherent motivation, and the whole gambit falls apart.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 19 July 2025
In this way, a seemingly canonical tale of triumphant escape from working-class life turns out not to be so canonical after all.
—James Wood, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Though Superman has had a few different canonical backstories in the comics, no mainstream origin had a Jor-El who sent his son to Earth for nefarious reasons.
—James Grebey, Time, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for canonical
Ed Simon
july 21, Literary Hub, 21 July 2025
Then there’s a twist and reveal that becomes a canonical betrayal completely unsupported by coherent motivation, and the whole gambit falls apart.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 19 July 2025
In this way, a seemingly canonical tale of triumphant escape from working-class life turns out not to be so canonical after all.
—James Wood, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Though Superman has had a few different canonical backstories in the comics, no mainstream origin had a Jor-El who sent his son to Earth for nefarious reasons.
—James Grebey, Time, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for canonical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canonical
Adjective
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Echoing this sentiment of finding hope in La Virgen de la Puerta, Pope Francis, during his apostolic journey to Peru, crowned La Virgen de la Puerta and gave her the title of Mother of Mercy and Hope.—
Caitlin Cipolla-McCulloch,
The Conversation,
29 May 2025
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Francis chose to live in the humble Santa Marta guest house, not the apostolic palace.—
Howard Chua-Eoan,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Whether creating targeted blog posts, authoritative corporate content, persuasive e-commerce descriptions, or detailed educational resources, precise prompts enhance engagement, SEO performance, and monetization potential.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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The decision means that in the authoritative opinion of the international legal community, all countries are under an obligation to contribute to the efforts to reduce global greenhouse emissions.—
Daimeon Shanks-Dumont,
The Conversation,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
When the late Pope Francis was elected, a dozen years ago, and famously declined the pomp and perquisites typically associated with the office, among his renunciations was the use of the papal summer residence—a seventeenth-century palazzo in Castel Gandolfo, about fifteen miles south of Rome.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
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Once selected, the successor will have the chance to accept the title, choose a papal name, and dress in papal attire, among other procedures.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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The legislation, which restricts motorists from holding or supporting mobile electronic devices while operating a vehicle, would impact roughly 4 million licensed drivers in South Carolina.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
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Here’s what to know about summer colds and the COVID-19 variant called stratus The online ordering platform includes a brief medical screening questionnaire to be reviewed by a licensed health-care provider before prescribing the vaccine.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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It is highly recommended that a taxpayer use the foreign country’s version of certified or registered mail because the receipt can serve as proof of timely mailing/filing.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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For certified cave divers, joining a dive here is remarkably straightforward.—
Jennifer Walker,
CNN Money,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Haller Suites & Restaurant offers a dining experience with panoramic views over the episcopal town.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
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Freddie Clayton The Fisherman’s Ring is a signet ring presented to a new pope at his inauguration, as a symbol of his episcopal authority and as the successor of St. Peter, the fisherman apostle and the first pope, who began his papacy around the year 30.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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Generational wealth passes through legitimate streams here, too.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
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Bednar and Doval, meanwhile, are legitimate closing alternatives.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Holmes is said to be working a clerical job, while maintaining regular contact with her two young children, People reports.—
Emma Marsden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Aug. 2025
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Bryan was released after a clerical error caused officials to confuse him with another inmate with a similar last name, Hutson said.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Canonical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canonical. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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