as in towers
a large, magnificent, or massive building
the company didn't want just a new office building—it demanded a cathedral that proclaimed its place among the giants of finance
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Recent Examples of cathedrals
The vault was designed by architect Olivier Chadebost (whose work includes the ultra-modern cellars of Chateau d’Yquem in Sauternes and Cheval Blanc in Saint-Émilion) and was inspired by cathedrals.
—
Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Built of local stone, the railway’s great viaducts are as grand as cathedrals, and seem to rise naturally from their landscape.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 3 May 2026
After 105 years of English Football League existence, Anfield, Old Trafford and all those other Premier League cathedrals will remain strictly off-limits, barring the odd cup tie.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 3 May 2026
Entry is free, and the interior is genuinely stunning — the kind of stop that rewards curiosity even if cathedrals aren’t typically your thing.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
On shrill winter nights, Moscow’s power is conspicuous, its Orthodox cathedrals and Stalinist high-rises illuminated, though the view falls dim in the autumn and spring, shrouded in sheets of greige.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
In February, a large contingent of city residents made the short drive into Indianapolis to one of Indiana’s most revered basketball cathedrals, Hinkle Fieldhouse.
—Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
His high school gym was not the massive cathedrals built to serve the altars of Hoosier hysteria, but with 4,620 seats, the Greenfield Cougar Den is no slouch, either.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
The problem is those cathedrals couldn’t move.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Built of local stone, the railway’s great viaducts are as grand as cathedrals, and seem to rise naturally from their landscape.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 3 May 2026
After 105 years of English Football League existence, Anfield, Old Trafford and all those other Premier League cathedrals will remain strictly off-limits, barring the odd cup tie.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 3 May 2026
Entry is free, and the interior is genuinely stunning — the kind of stop that rewards curiosity even if cathedrals aren’t typically your thing.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
On shrill winter nights, Moscow’s power is conspicuous, its Orthodox cathedrals and Stalinist high-rises illuminated, though the view falls dim in the autumn and spring, shrouded in sheets of greige.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
In February, a large contingent of city residents made the short drive into Indianapolis to one of Indiana’s most revered basketball cathedrals, Hinkle Fieldhouse.
—Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
His high school gym was not the massive cathedrals built to serve the altars of Hoosier hysteria, but with 4,620 seats, the Greenfield Cougar Den is no slouch, either.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
The problem is those cathedrals couldn’t move.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cathedrals
Noun
-
In Coconut Grove, Martin and Terra built or co-developed three big high-rise luxury condo projects — seven towers in all — that, while controversial among many residents, helped resuscitate what had been a senescent village center.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
-
The beverages at Brunches Brunches is all about bringing the party to daytime, with mimosas, mimosa flights and even mimosa towers, available in orange, cranberry, pineapple, peach and strawberry.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Those living in Upper Manhattan and Harlem must contend with buildings and structures rising up from The Bronx; those on the Upper East Side and Midtown will be looking toward Queens, while those in the East Village, down to Houston Street, are facing Brooklyn edifices.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
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Every corner of the island bears witness to physical remnants of the seven nations whose flags once crowned its edifices, giving visitors the impression of exploring a living history book still intact.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
King Kalakaua is said to have been inspired by the grand palaces of Europe when designing his own in the islands.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
-
Atlanta is awash in world-class sporting events, gleaming and profitable sports palaces and — except for when a section of I-285 shuts down for the weekend — a solid infrastructure.—
Ken Sugiura,
AJC.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
So Contra Costa Community College District officials are proposing a $920 million bond measure on the June 2 ballot to renovate or replace some of the key structures.—
East Bay Times editorial,
Mercury News,
23 May 2026
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Researchers have searched for repeating structures within it, such as identical circular arrangements that would indicate a compact universe.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cathedrals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cathedrals. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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