as in synod
formal
a private or secret meeting or group
a conclave of bishops
Related Words
Relevance
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 conclave
The pope hasn’t visited the US since his selection at the papal conclave in May 2025 and doesn’t have plans to visit this year, according to the Vatican.
—
Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Peter Martin paints the scene from a recent military conclave in Rome.
—Jonathan Tamari, Bloomberg, 7 Apr. 2026
In 16th-century Italy, Roman merchants reportedly partnered with cardinals’ papal conclave attendants to wager on who would be named the new pope.
—Kelli María Korducki, thehustle.co, 3 Apr. 2026
In 16th-century Italy, gamblers could wager on the election of civic magistrates and the outcome of papal conclaves.
—Parker Bach, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conclave
Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Peter Martin paints the scene from a recent military conclave in Rome.
—Jonathan Tamari, Bloomberg, 7 Apr. 2026
In 16th-century Italy, Roman merchants reportedly partnered with cardinals’ papal conclave attendants to wager on who would be named the new pope.
—Kelli María Korducki, thehustle.co, 3 Apr. 2026
In 16th-century Italy, gamblers could wager on the election of civic magistrates and the outcome of papal conclaves.
—Parker Bach, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conclave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conclave
Noun
-
The testimony of the gay men, contained in annexes published on the Vatican's synod website, featured moving accounts of how one, from Portugal, came to terms with his homosexuality and married his husband.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
-
Leo, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost, spent two weeks sitting with Fuanya at the same table during Pope Francis’ 2024 big meeting, or synod, on the family.—
Nicole Winfield,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The backstory South America’s largest city sprawls as far as the eye can see with towers and highways, which explains how this part of town (not the most central) has become a hub for meetings.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
Trump’s meetings with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, began at the Great Hall of the People moments after a welcome ceremony that seemed to impress the president, featuring a Chinese military honor guard and a greeting from excited schoolchildren.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The World Cup is considered a SEAR 1 event, the highest risk level for public gatherings in the country.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
-
Mazaher Hosseini, affiliated with the office of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, made the comment at a pro-government gathering.—
Adam Schreck,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Jeffries, in a letter to the House Democratic caucus, called the meeting after a series of blows to the party in the last two weeks on the redistricting front.—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
11 May 2026
-
There are members of the Senate caucus, both sides of the aisle, that do not like the bill.—
David Greising,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
That frustration is exactly why our campaign shocked the political establishment at the Republican convention.—
Anne Brensley,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
-
Langley is not the kind of country singer who bristles at the genre’s conventions.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conclave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conclave. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
