conclave

noun

Definition of conclavenext
as in synod
formal a private or secret meeting or group a conclave of bishops

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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
  • But the mood coming out of Monday’s meeting was that a 20-team model will not be taken seriously.
    — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The report will be officially released today at a Community Development and Human Services Committee meeting.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of meeting
Noun
  • The Topgolf Swing Suite and the on-site Bat City Comedy Club lend themselves to team-building gatherings.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Nvidia still has plenty to iron out with its financing partners, but Monday's gathering marked a major step in showing the kind of money available to others in the ecosystem.
    — Kif Leswing, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of gathering
Noun
  • The caucus attempted to push the party right on both fiscal and social conservatism, and often did so by clashing with Republican leadership and moderates.
    — Jack Harvel August 12, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Although House Democrats are still in the minority, there’s tremendous appetite in the caucus to drive forward on AI regulation next year if Democrats flip the chamber this fall.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of caucus
Noun
  • Former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin narrowly won the party's endorsement at its state convention in May.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • But after years of visiting the city for conventions, many of us have been craving destinations that recognise the visitor has changed too.
    — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of convention

Browse Nearby Words

concision
conclave
conclaves
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Cite this Entry

“Conclave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conclave. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on conclave

Nglish: Translation of conclave for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about conclave

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