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 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 Her drawings hung beside pieces by Henry Darger, Bill Traylor, and James Castle—canonical artists in the genre. — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 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

With the press world’s help, Omar Jamal was anointed as the authoritative voice on all political issues concerning Minnesota’s Somali community and the Somali population at large in America.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
The underlying transactions have to be organized and labeled so the system can tell what’s authoritative and what’s just a reference point.

— Salvatore Lombardo, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of authoritative

Adjective

Luis Antonio Tagle, 69, a Filipino cardinal, was appointed by Pope Leo XIV as the new dean of the College of Cardinals, elevating his profile as a papal contender in the process.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Simply put, the evolution of the rose followed the evolution of papal power itself.

— Joëlle Rollo-Koster, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of papal

Adjective

Rapid detection is particularly important because there is no licensed vaccine or approved specific treatment for this form of Ebola, although possible vaccines and treatments are being tested.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Admittedly, no one in the movie actually wore beige pants, so there's an inaccuracy there, which is odd given this is an officially licensed Alien costume.

— Chris McMullen, Space.com, 9 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

Some counties show the index for free but charge for downloadable or certified copies.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Ciclo already serves apparel, home and hospitality markets through a global network of certified fiber, yarn and fabric manufacturers.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of certified

Adjective

Becerra’s father later began a construction career that lasted 30 years, while his mother worked as a clerical worker and later purchased rental properties.

— Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
He is currently being detained at the prison ward designated for clerical inmates, according to official Iranian news reports.

— Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of clerical

Adjective

In a defining game that many thought would expose problems masked by UCLA’s early-season success, the Bruins — though imperfect — vociferously announced their arrival to the college football world as legitimate playoff contenders.

— Elias Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Enríquez argued that lasting economic recovery would be difficult without a legitimate government and that credible elections would help establish confidence among international investors.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 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 11 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of canonical

adjective

Example Sentences

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