as in ecclesiastical
of or relating to a church
refused to discuss churchly matters except on Sundays
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Recent Examples of churchly
That theme, explored with light wit and deep humanity, makes this unabashedly churchly novel strikingly relevant to our conflicted political era.
—
Washington Post, 3 May 2022
The singer and rapper’s weary tales arrive with churchly trills, nu-metal groans, quiet-storm beats, and zero concern for coolness.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 14 Dec. 2021
Besides, the current Francis seems revolutionary enough for an era of ecological crisis, humanitarian disaster, and churchly scandal, especially since Wenders has the pope on camera directly sharing his thoughts with the audience.
—Ty Burr, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2018
Black leather Versace motorcycle jackets sport jeweled crucifixes inspired by Byzantine mosaics, blending edgy coolness with churchly devotion.
—Rhonda Garelick, The Cut, 10 May 2018
Washington Post, 3 May 2022
The singer and rapper’s weary tales arrive with churchly trills, nu-metal groans, quiet-storm beats, and zero concern for coolness.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 14 Dec. 2021
Besides, the current Francis seems revolutionary enough for an era of ecological crisis, humanitarian disaster, and churchly scandal, especially since Wenders has the pope on camera directly sharing his thoughts with the audience.
—Ty Burr, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2018
Black leather Versace motorcycle jackets sport jeweled crucifixes inspired by Byzantine mosaics, blending edgy coolness with churchly devotion.
—Rhonda Garelick, The Cut, 10 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for churchly
Adjective
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The agreement clarifies that the court denied Morris’ motion to dismiss based on the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine.—
Alexa Shrake,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
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The overall result is a series of spaces that explore themes rooted in ecclesiastical pageantry, and the power that’s conveyed through the clothing and visual arts of a monarch or empire.—
Laurie Brookins,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Waugh was based for many years in a grand house in nearby Combe Florey and adapted this local ecclesiastic landmark for fictional purposes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Feb. 2026
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Think of it like an ecclesiastic LinkedIn.—
Jack Murtagh,
Scientific American,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Army Chaplain Corps guidelines published during the Biden administration in February 2024, which remained on the Army’s website following the March 24 announcement, said the Chaplain Corps at that point represented more than 100 religious groups.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
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The speaker is considered a religious and social conservative within Iranian politics.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Churchly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/churchly. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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