church

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

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

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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

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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 Hopper plans to build a 76-unit town home development along York Road, adjacent to the church. Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025 Charlie pivoted his career towards speaking engagements and has shared his story at universities, churches, prisons, schools and businesses. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025 The church’s board, in a statement shortly after the theft was revealed, wished both compassion and justice for Wallace. Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2025 Wilson, who lives in Philadelphia and attends shows at the church often, had never seen anything like it. David Hill, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for church
Recent Examples of Synonyms for church
Noun
  • Ava DuVernay gave us soft radiance with a sweep of pink blush across her cheeks and temples, while Law Roach reminded us that natural skin is always in.
    Larry Stansbury, Essence, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Indeed, the architect — who is used to operating behind the scenes for private clients — struggled to describe the feeling of seeing his work displayed in the temple of French design.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Chamberlain, the reverend from the South Side of Chicago, tells TIME many of her colleagues in different congregations have been providing physical refuge every day for members of the migrant community who fear prosecution from ICE.
    Connor Greene, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
  • At the Traditional Music Society’s Saturday class, Kansas City percussionist Bird Fleming stood in front of a congregation of students from various races, ages, and genders.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But McCrorey Heights thrived, becoming home to influential Black educators, clergy, doctors, lawyers, politicians and civil rights activists, such as Reginald Hawkins and Jimmie and Minnie McKee, who opened the historic Excelsior Club.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Pastor Thomas points out that many clergy do often talk about their vigil experience with their own churches and houses of worship.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • After the service, Queen Camilla will stay in the chapel to meet the choirs, while King Charles and the pope join a meeting on sustainability in the Sala Regia.
    Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Off the living room, the former chapel has been cleverly converted into a stylish home office and bar, complete with a 500-year-old counter and an original Willy Rizzo desk.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In typical Betsy fashion, the wedding was in a grand cathedral in Paris.
    Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The heist has prompted a national reckoning, with some officials comparing the shock to the 2019 burning of Notre-Dame cathedral.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Church.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/church. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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