conclave

noun

Definition of conclavenext
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 Trump also implied that Leo − the first pope born in the United States − was chosen by the conclave last year, partly in response to his own leadership. — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 4 May 2026 Around the corner from Henry and Miller’s conclave is a sumptuous new commission by Bethany Joy Collins. — Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026 His death, at 88, set the stage for the conclave that elected Leo a few weeks later. — ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for conclave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conclave
  1. synod
  2. meeting
  3. gathering
  4. caucus
  5. convention
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
Definition of synod
Noun
  • Leipzig made a concerted effort to persuade the Austrian international to stay with them, but failed to do so, over the course of several meetings.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Pezeshkian was speaking Monday at a meeting of Iran’s Supreme Judicial Council.
    — Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Definition of meeting
Noun
  • Eury said the city’s downtown streetscape is beautiful and encourages walking and gathering.
    — DJ Simmons July 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026
  • For iced tea enthusiasts, the Tea Over Ice collection is designed to brew hot and then flash-chill over ice in the elegant Tea Over Ice Pitcher, perfect for enjoying yourself or serving to your guests at summer gatherings.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
Definition of gathering
Noun
  • Nevada is angling to oust South Carolina as the first state to hold the Democratic primary in the 2028 elections, a move that is causing a ruckus in the caucus.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 22 July 2026
  • House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was quick to congratulate the democratic socialists who defeated incumbent members of his caucus in primaries, even though their policies are much further left than his own.
    — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2026
Definition of caucus
Noun
  • Officials hope the event will fuel convention bookings for the next five years and reinvigorate international travel to town.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • Burnham’s faith is significant given the centuries of legislation and convention that effectively prevented Catholics from becoming prime minister.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of convention

Browse Nearby Words

concision
conclave
conclaves
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Conclave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conclave. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on conclave

Nglish: Translation of conclave for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about conclave

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of itinerant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All