Synonyms of church

church

noun

ˈchərch 

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

• temple
• chapel
• cathedral
• tabernacle
• abbey
• kirk
• mission
• shrine
• synagogue
• mosque
• sanctuary
• minster
• pagoda
• oratory
• meetinghouse
• bethel
• shul

2

as in congregation

a body of persons gathered for religious worship

spoke to the whole church at once

Synonyms & Similar Words

• congregation
• assembly
• parish
• flock
• communion
• denomination
• confession
• laity
• sect
• fold

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

• clergy
• ministry
• episcopate
• spirituality
• priesthood
• hierarchy
• cloth
• presbytery
• first estate
• spiritualty
• diaconate
• clerkship
• monkhood

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• laity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of church

Isaac has been tasked with rebuilding his family’s failing church in a rough neighborhood. — Christine Imarenezor, VIBE.com, 6 Nov. 2026

These classes take place all over the world, with people with Parkinson’s gathering in church halls, ballet studios and other spaces. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Nov. 2026

Clergy who supported the protests and sheltered demonstrators at their churches were particularly targeted in the repression. — ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026

Although the grounds were excavated and the bodies removed before the church’s construction, investigators suspect remains uncovered Thursday may have been left behind. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 5 Nov. 2026