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
In at least one case, a Riverside County church is distributing special Lent packets, complete with small baggies of Lenten ash, to be delivered to those too fearful of coming in person to a church.
—
Julianna Lozada, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
The sprawling church complex had festivities at every turn for the 400 guests and their buddies.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The technology has been deployed at sports stadiums like Target Field, as well as schools, hospitals and churches.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
As families make plans for church services, egg hunts and brunches, here’s what to know about Easter in Austin in 2026 — including the date, what’s open and where to celebrate.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for church
Julianna Lozada, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
The sprawling church complex had festivities at every turn for the 400 guests and their buddies.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The technology has been deployed at sports stadiums like Target Field, as well as schools, hospitals and churches.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
As families make plans for church services, egg hunts and brunches, here’s what to know about Easter in Austin in 2026 — including the date, what’s open and where to celebrate.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for church
Recent Examples of Synonyms for church
Noun
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The building, a former power plant abandoned in the ‘80s, looms over the crowd like a monolithic temple to techno.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Valentino, for instance, held a three-day lantern festival in January at Tianhou Palace, a historic temple along the Suzhou Creek in Shanghai.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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So, instead, Roberts and the church’s small but mighty congregation of 30 carry on Second Baptist Church’s oral tradition.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
19 Feb. 2026
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Avian influenza viruses continue to spread in wild bird populations, Cennimo said, and transmission can be amplified by close congregations of birds.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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They were seen by the clergy, for example, to be distracted by chocolate, drinking it and gossiping instead of paying attention to mass.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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Attempt to add clergy fails Earlier Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee voted 8-3 to defeat a bill that would have added clergy to the list of mandatory reporters.—
Seth Tupper & John Hult,
States Newsroom,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Andrew has left the Order of the Garter, which was founded by Edward III, in 1348, and had his banner removed from the chapel at Windsor Castle.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
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Torres’ remains will be housed at a chapel in Bogota’s National University.—
Manuel Rueda,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Dominating the city center, Florence's wedding-cake-like green-and-white cathedral needs no introduction.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
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The cathedral was built on the site of two preexisting basilicas and its completion took more than five centuries.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Feb. 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 22 Feb. 2026.
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