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 study showed that adding synthetic, non-canonical amino acids called azatryptophans to plastic-degrading enzymes (PETases) can break the trade-off between catalytic activity and thermal stability. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026 And has that conversation broadened into a discussion of who gets to translate canonical texts more generally—questions of race, class, and access as well as gender? — Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026 The canonical example is Air France flight 447, which fell into the Atlantic in 2009. — IEEE Spectrum, 2 Sep. 2026 The Guerrilla Girls are now canonical within art history, and people often accept their work as though it has always been recognized as important. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for canonical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for canonical

Adjective

Beyond his role within the church, the Pope is also a key international figure, frequently speaking out on high-profile topics such as artificial intelligence and immigration, and making apostolic journeys abroad.

— Tiago Ventura, Time, 14 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of apostolic

Adjective

Without an authoritative accounting, Eisenkot argues, the country cannot fully reckon with the catastrophe.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026
Our colleague Helen Branswell was a renowned infectious disease reporter who earned the respect and admiration of experts and public health officials with her authoritative, prescient reporting on the flu, polio, Ebola and the Covid-19 pandemic.

— Elaine Chen, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of authoritative

Adjective

Edward Berger, whose papal selection movie Conclave was set within the walls of Vatican City, opened the conference and market with a fascinating look into his filmmaking process and views on how the movie business has evolved.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
What began as an academic dispute became a public controversy, and questions about indulgences soon expanded into larger debates about salvation, Scripture, and papal authority.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of papal

Adjective

But there are actually a lot of similarities between the department store and Fanatics Commerce, the merchandising arm of the licensed sports platform.

— Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Brown is a licensed realtor and co-owns a family real estate business.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 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

These remain part of its development strategy rather than a range of certified aircraft.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Gill estimates the average cost for custom, certified flood panels for a 3-bedroom 2-bathroom home is somewhere in the neighborhood of $22,000.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of certified

Adjective

The district’s Digital Teaching and Learning team is reviewing its online catalogs to identify and correct potential clerical errors, Jonas said.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2026
Sabti, who was born in Tehran, said the clerical regime in the capital Tehran does not exercise solid control over the provinces, which resembles parts of South America where some governments lost sovereignty to militias.

— Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of clerical

Adjective

However, don't randomly disable legitimate Android system components because their technical names look strange.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
At 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes as of release day, Possible Love has reached a level of acclaim that places Jeon into legitimate Oscar contention — another first for her.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of canonical

adjective

Example Sentences

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