CANONICAL Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

canonical

adjective

Definition of canonical

as in apostolic

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

as in authoritative

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 canonical The canonical examples are handmade luxury items like Hermès bags. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 23 June 2026 There was a return to the canonical pieces that define our favorites. — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 23 June 2026 Hints at the canonical Big Daddies of existential clown float through the air — Beckett would recognize this pair, and so would Jean Genet. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 June 2026 Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area, the canonical speech production and comprehension regions, appear to remain connected and active during sleep. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for canonical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for canonical

Adjective

On June 2, 1979, Pope John Paul II set out from Rome on an apostolic journey, as papal trips away from the Vatican are called.

— Paul Elie, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church directed his remarks to university students at the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, during an 11-day apostolic journey in Africa.

— Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026

Definition of apostolic

Adjective

Take a look The White Sox's papal play Pope Leo XIV got a tribute Tuesday night when the White Sox hosted the Cincinnati Reds, as over 40,000 pope hats were handed out to fans and even players.

— Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Ghost have shared the new trailer for 2 Big to Rig, the upcoming concert film documenting the Swedish papal heavy metal outfit’s 2025 gigs in Mexico City.

— Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2026

Definition of papal

Adjective

Johanna Morgan first became a licensed funeral director and embalmer intern in December 1996, state records show.

— Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
The series was revealed Friday as part of Netflix’s announcement of its new hub for YA content that includes several hundred titles of original or licensed movies and shows about the coming-of-age stories of young adults.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of licensed

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

Thirty minutes from the Woburn research lab, Black Earth Compost accepts certified compostable materials.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
In August 2025, WJZ reported that a Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Education investigation found two classes at a Howard County special education school were not being taught by a certified teacher.

— Kellye Lynn, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of certified

Adjective

The jobs were broken down into around 200 management roles, 67 office or clerical roles, 67 professional, 534 skilled and 133 unskilled.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026
Palo Alto police confirmed the 49ers coach was at fault and said a clerical error led a state database to wrongly blame the other driver, a 21-year-old woman.

— Cam Inman, Mercury News, 28 July 2026

Definition of clerical

Adjective

Existing regulations already provide that obtaining a visitor visa primarily to give birth in the United States to secure citizenship for a child is not legitimate B-visa tourism.

— Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
The team Jon-Eric Sullivan is building is about 10 legitimate NFL players away from having a respectable roster, and have $16 million in cap space to use for enhancements to the roster.

— Omar Kelly August 15, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of legitimate

Browse Nearby Words

canon

canonical

canonize

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Style

“Canonical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canonical. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of canonical

adjective

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