church

1
as in temple
a building for public worship and especially Christian worship a city that is noted for its many historic churches

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in congregation
a body of persons gathered for religious worship spoke to the whole church at once

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in clergy
the group ordained to perform clerical functions in the Christian church a time when few young men seem to want to join the church

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 church About 20 miles south of Boston, under a big maple near a white clapboard church, John Cheever is buried next to his parents and brother. Adam Begley, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025 Both pastors said the Bible and their churches provide safeguards to curb the toxicity found in some parts of the manosphere. Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025 While the frequent visits from Portuguese, Dutch, British and Indian peoples is reflected in the various churches, Hindu temples, colonial mansions, Buddhist stupas the food has been heavily impacted. Alissa Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 In August 2025, Keeler and two other pastors of the church, Jerry Dorris and Tanner Cartwright, released a public statement encouraging more Christians to quietly remove the books on the shelves to keep them away from children. Lillian Metzmeier, The Courier-Journal, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for church
Recent Examples of Synonyms for church
Noun
  • Russian forces had also taken old icons and books, a Polovtsian saber, Scythian bronze items, buckles, amulets, temple rings, axes and arrowheads from the times of Kievan Rus, the first East Slavic state, established between the 9th and 13th centuries.
    Yegor Mostovshikov, The Dial, 9 Sep. 2025
  • While the frequent visits from Portuguese, Dutch, British and Indian peoples is reflected in the various churches, Hindu temples, colonial mansions, Buddhist stupas the food has been heavily impacted.
    Alissa Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Being a small congregation, that wasn't a small investment.
    Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Fuller will continue to lead the church’s congregation and fulfill his responsibilities as the pulpit minister, church officials said.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • He was further influenced after learning that the FBI often calls on priests, rabbis and other clergy members to counsel victims at mass-casualty events.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The Madison Diocese concluded an investigation into clergy abuse in 2019, and released the names of seven men.
    Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Housed in a historic chapel, the sculptures invite reflection on waiting–for identity, healthcare and dignity.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • While the Armani Group has kept details of the funeral under wraps, local papers report the designer will be laid to rest in the family chapel next to his parents and older brother Sergio, who died in 1985.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • England's historic cathedrals are costly to maintain.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The film pivots when Kevin ducks into a cathedral and overcomes his fear of Marley to have a touching conversation about their respective family woes.
    Tim Greiving, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Renovation plans to this tabernacle feature a mental wellness center and a workout room.
    Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2025
  • Miller also noted that the original tabernacle of the church survived, along with 17th-century lead coffins that visitors can view under a glass floor.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Church.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/church. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on church

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!