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 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 According to Bakes, Soto received an identical copy of the canonical petition but declined to investigate the school. — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 23 Aug. 2026 The experience is…less fun, although bad film aficionados know that some level of tedium is inherent to almost all of the most canonical worst movies ever. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 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

OpenAI says those institutions appear frequently because research agents often receive instructions to consult authoritative public sources.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
Improving visibility across Google, ChatGPT and other AI search experiences increasingly requires teams to publish authoritative content, structure information clearly and make technical and content changes quickly.

— James Fratzke, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of authoritative

Adjective

The South Side team even had a theme night in August dedicated to the Pope, where fans at Rate Field were given replica papal-style hats featuring the Sox logo in a game against the Cincinnati Reds.

— Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
Its evolution and that of the surrounding estate have been determined by border disputes between papal states and grand duchies, by World Wars, and, in the second half of the 20th century, by brute economics, industrialization, and urbanization.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of papal

Adjective

Most of its revenue still comes from making licensed characters and selling them through retailers, online and at events.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
After all, the licensed comics featuring those two Hasbro properties had been published almost continuously for almost 30 years via companies such as Marvel, Devil’s Due and IDW.

— Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 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

Police chief and certified travel agent Laci Jo Brimer is uniquely positioned to give advice on how to avoid being pickpocketed on vacation.

— Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2026
Today Shaikh serves as a certified interventionist for Parents for Peace, a nonpartisan organization funded in part by the US Department of Homeland Security.

— Jeff Winter, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of certified

Adjective

Panelists also share practical guidance on identifying legitimate opportunities, avoiding common pitfalls and building meaningful industry connections.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
But as a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Israel is bound by Article 19, under which restrictions on expression must be provided by law and be necessary and proportionate to a legitimate aim.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of legitimate

Browse Nearby Words

canon

canonical

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Style

“Canonical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canonical. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of canonical

adjective

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