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
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Meanwhile, community meetings about data centers are growing contentious, with police arresting a farmer in Oklahoma, three women in Wisconsin and a man in California.
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Islamabad says Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, accompanied Sharif at the meetings.
Noun
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At fan gatherings, drones are barred within a 1-nautical-mile radius and up to 1,000 feet above ground level.
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Despite the trio's famous parents, the youngest Brodericks have managed to mostly stay out of the spotlight, except for public family gatherings like a January 2026 book launch for composer Marc Shaiman.
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.
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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.
Noun
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At the previous two conventions, resolutions passed in support of Israel.
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Ralph Lauren celebrated timeless elegance, Prada continued to challenge conventions with intelligence and subtle irony, Setchu impressed with its refined approach to craftsmanship and versatility, while Paul Smith delivered a fresh and optimistic take on tailoring.
Cite this Entry
“Conclaves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conclaves. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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