churches

Definition of churchesnext
plural of church
1
as in temples
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 congregations
a body of persons gathered for religious worship spoke to the whole church at once

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3
as in clergies
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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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 churches Jen Massey, representing the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and nominated by member Yolanda Narvaez, said that partnering with food pantries, schools, churches and shelters the food bank is able to help them to provide consistent access to food. Sharon Hlapcich, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026 The communion is an association of Christian churches, including the Episcopal Church in the United States, that together have more than 100 million members. ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026 Lynn Florian, 8th Ward, now draws hundreds of volunteers from a variety of churches, other not-for-profit groups and the general public. Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026 Schools, churches, and community centers, places that structure daily life and connection; were suddenly gone. Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026 Both plans are further signs of the trend over the past five years to convert struggling hotels, office buildings and even old churches and synagogues into rental housing. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2026 Immigrants, regardless of legal status, were reluctant to go to hospitals, schools and even churches for fear of being apprehended, the study found. Mary Ellen Klas, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026 Gifted by wise men to the baby Jesus — and burned as incense in churches and temples around the world. Scott Horsley, NPR, 9 Apr. 2026 And my churches were the Egyptian, the Chinese, the Pacific. Emily Longeretta, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for churches
Noun
  • Beyond its gorgeous beaches, families can explore an elephant sanctuary, tour cultural sites and temples, and taste unique street food.
    Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
  • In his earliest appearances as Sam, Kani had to apply gray makeup to his beard and temples to be believable as the middle-aged employee.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The center assists congregations through three strategies designed to boost rural synagogues.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Today, churches such as Center City’s Arch Street United Methodist Church and North Philly’s Church of the Advocate, along with other congregations, uphold this tradition while a multicultural community across the city continues that fight.
    Menika Dirkson, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Entry is free, and the interior is genuinely stunning — the kind of stop that rewards curiosity even if cathedrals aren’t typically your thing.
    Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
  • On shrill winter nights, Moscow’s power is conspicuous, its Orthodox cathedrals and Stalinist high-rises illuminated, though the view falls dim in the autumn and spring, shrouded in sheets of greige.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Churches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/churches. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.

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