1
as in temples
a building for public worship and especially Christian worship
a city that is noted for its many historic churches
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in congregations
a body of persons gathered for religious worship
spoke to the whole church at once
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of churches
Divisions have widened so sharply over recent decades that some national churches stopped participating in Anglican Communion gatherings.
—
ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
Postwar Black churches, as Du Bois understood, represented the heart of Black efforts to secure social, political, and religious equality.
—Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
So far, leaders or parishioners from dozens of Connecticut churches have sent endorsement letters, and more are expected to testify in person at the hearing.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2026
The prominent faith leader has long been an advocate for civil rights and social justice issues in North Texas and leads one of the region's largest Black churches, with a congregation of more than 13,000 members.
—Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
From churches and block parties to cookbook clubs and holiday gatherings, potlucks are the backdrop for many memorable occasions.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2026
To the relief of many, the son of South Carolina was not out to be another revolutionary, but rather was offering reassurance that local people, businesses, churches and communities could work together across racial, class and political lines.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Tome, a founding member of one of the largest churches in America, will be suspended pending an independent review of inappropriate conduct from late 2015 during a video shoot.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Feb. 2026
Its docks and alleys, its free Black communities and slave markets, its churches and street corners — this was the laboratory of his conscience.
—Jack Hill, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2026
ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
Postwar Black churches, as Du Bois understood, represented the heart of Black efforts to secure social, political, and religious equality.
—Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
So far, leaders or parishioners from dozens of Connecticut churches have sent endorsement letters, and more are expected to testify in person at the hearing.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2026
The prominent faith leader has long been an advocate for civil rights and social justice issues in North Texas and leads one of the region's largest Black churches, with a congregation of more than 13,000 members.
—Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
From churches and block parties to cookbook clubs and holiday gatherings, potlucks are the backdrop for many memorable occasions.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2026
To the relief of many, the son of South Carolina was not out to be another revolutionary, but rather was offering reassurance that local people, businesses, churches and communities could work together across racial, class and political lines.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Tome, a founding member of one of the largest churches in America, will be suspended pending an independent review of inappropriate conduct from late 2015 during a video shoot.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Feb. 2026
Its docks and alleys, its free Black communities and slave markets, its churches and street corners — this was the laboratory of his conscience.
—Jack Hill, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for churches
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
-
The alliance is a social justice coalition of more than 50 Jewish, Muslim, Protestant, Catholic, Quaker, and Unitarian Universalist congregations in central Connecticut, and a major proponent of HB 5396.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Other Christian congregations from Arizona and California were in Israel when the conflict erupted.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
God appeared once, Christianity twice, and cathedrals, but not the Mother of Parliaments in London.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, capacity 100,077, is among college football's largest and most hallowed cathedrals.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Churches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/churches. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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