as in ecclesiastical
of or relating to a church
refused to discuss churchly matters except on Sundays
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 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
-
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
-
In The Corner That Held Them, rarely does desire raise its head as the nuns busy themselves with dishonest bishops, honest con men, collapsing spires, inconclusive visions, ecclesiastical intrigues, catty infighting, attempts at levitation, and the plague.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Think of it like an ecclesiastic LinkedIn.—
Jack Murtagh,
Scientific American,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
An unlikely band of prominent business, religious, government and academic leaders have set aside their political differences and signed onto a new declaration of human rights for the AI age.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
4 Mar. 2026
-
In both his religious and civic life, Turner fought for Black equality.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Churchly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/churchly. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
