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
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
Humphries has been singing since childhood and grew up performing in choir, theater and church.
—
Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
On Wednesday, a group of members of different Cuban churches living on the island and abroad signed an open letter calling for Cuban leaders to leave power.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
On Tuesday, the El Cajon parish church’s doors were closed and its parking lot was empty.
—Gregory Bull, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
The church, which sits on historic land that once hosted a school and has served as a place of worship for generations, is now left to clean up the aftermath.
—Nakell Williams, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for church
Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
On Wednesday, a group of members of different Cuban churches living on the island and abroad signed an open letter calling for Cuban leaders to leave power.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
On Tuesday, the El Cajon parish church’s doors were closed and its parking lot was empty.
—Gregory Bull, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
The church, which sits on historic land that once hosted a school and has served as a place of worship for generations, is now left to clean up the aftermath.
—Nakell Williams, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for church
Recent Examples of Synonyms for church
Noun
-
The show took him to Jerusalem’s Wailing Wall, India’s Bodhi Tree, Mayan temples in Guatemala, the pyramids of Egypt and the banks of the Ganges River.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Its open-air ancient ruins—temples, houses, theaters—are well-preserved and include the Terrace of Lions, private residences, and the Sanctuary of Apollo.—
Katie Silcox,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Growing up, the theater was a holy place, a cathedral of congregation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The congregation became the heart of the Black community in Chadds Ford.—
Madeleine Wright,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
After celebrating an Ash Wednesday service with four migrants who had just arrived at a detention center near Chicago, clergy there are working with immigration authorities to set up regular visits.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Like the church clergy, friars and monks have also experienced dwindling numbers and resources.—
Anna Ortiz,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The story has become so ingrained in the imagination of Brazilians that even today, John Bosco is considered the capital’s patron saint, with both a chapel and a church named after him.—
Sophia La Banca,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Additional structures include a 2,000-square-foot art studio and a 2,175-square-foot art gallery, as well as a two-story guesthouse, a private chapel donning a replica of Michelangelo’s Pietà statue, an observatory, and an auto showroom with a 12-car garage.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The theaters, the parks, the cathedrals, the skyscrapers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Built from granite and timber cut from the hillside, the humble lodge was, and still is, a cathedral of sorts for mountain lovers.—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
