1
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
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Recent Examples of church
Experts said the church protest and fallout over the arrests of journalists who covered it are among many First Amendment challenges in Minnesota.
—
Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
After having dinner with her daughter on Saturday night, she was reported missing after not attending church the next morning.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
The historic church at 6th and Lombard streets still looms large as the mother of its denomination.
—Natasha Brown, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Hernandez had been a pastor for True Grace Church in Arlington, according to the church’s social media post.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for church
Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
After having dinner with her daughter on Saturday night, she was reported missing after not attending church the next morning.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
The historic church at 6th and Lombard streets still looms large as the mother of its denomination.
—Natasha Brown, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Hernandez had been a pastor for True Grace Church in Arlington, according to the church’s social media post.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for church
Recent Examples of Synonyms for church
Noun
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As Szakin points out, visiting temples and shrines such as Meiji Shrine or Senso-ji in Tokyo is often one of the most affordable ways to experience Japan’s history and culture.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
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Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with a traditional Ganesh Vandana ceremony in the fort’s private temple.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But mirroring a national trend of shrinking religious orders and congregations, the last nuns left in 2022.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Her grandfather preached and her grandmother worked as the congregation’s pianist, setting an early foundation for her father.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Other clergy arrange haircuts and grocery deliveries to help meet people’s basic needs.—
Anna Moeslein,
Glamour,
7 Feb. 2026
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This gave clergy and religious people a way to pray for the new archbishop and the diocese.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The couple married in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, in a chapel ceremony followed by a private reception at the Ocean House, a venue that shut down entirely for their guests.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
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When the novel opens in Florence, in 1557, the body of the painter Jacopo da Pontormo lies in the chapel of San Lorenzo—in front of the frescoes he’d labored over for a decade, with a painter’s chisel stuck in his heart.—
Bekah Waalkes,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Those early Moody Center nights helped establish the venue as a pop cathedral — a place where feelings are not just allowed but encouraged at full volume.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
22 Jan. 2026
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Aside from its elegant square dominated by a Baroque cathedral, a must-see is the sprawling Monastery of Santa Catalina, built in 1579, set against volcanos in the horizon.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Vandals broke into a Catholic school in Long Beach overnight Monday, stealing church items, damaging statues and tossing the tabernacle to the ground, according to police and school officials.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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Among the damage is a smashed statue of The Virgin Mary, other religious artifacts, like the tabernacle that stores communion, and destroyed furniture.—
Michele Gile,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Church.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/church. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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