as in synods
formal
a private or secret meeting or group
a conclave of bishops
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Recent Examples of conclaves
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
Behind the large wooden door, its frescoed walls closed to the general public reveal details of the compound's dramatic history, including papal conclaves and the Inquisition interrogation of Galileo Galilei.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Parker Bach, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
Behind the large wooden door, its frescoed walls closed to the general public reveal details of the compound's dramatic history, including papal conclaves and the Inquisition interrogation of Galileo Galilei.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conclaves
Noun
-
He is done trying to do the former by going to meetings and trying to save kids who can’t save themselves.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
1 June 2026
-
Sabalenka leads 2-1 in career meetings with Osaka, who has reached the fourth round in Paris for the first time.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
Noun
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Henning, from the Georgetown Law Center, told NPR in May that during teen gatherings in Washington, DC, two to eight kids are arrested on each occasion.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
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Chicago absolutely must respond to the violence and disorder demonstrated at these gatherings.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Republicans are already committed to making the Iowa caucuses their first contest in 2028, and delaying the Democratic caucus could reinforce the idea that Democrats don’t prioritize rural voters, the Iowa presenters said.—
Daniel C. Vock,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
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Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada have traditionally been among the first states to hold presidential primaries or caucuses, although neither party has set its formal presidential primary and caucus calendar yet.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
23 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Adley and his team make great tasting plates first and foremost, but some of the items, like the unmissable chicken wings stuffed with boudin blanc and romesco, act as a cheeky affront to haute cuisine’s pretensions and conventions.—
Colin Wrenn,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
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Meanwhile, Todd has continued to helm Chrisley Confessions, as well as speaking at various conservative political conventions.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conclaves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conclaves. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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