conclaves

noun

plural of conclave
as in synods
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conclaves
  1. meetings
  2. gatherings
  3. caucuses
  4. conventions
Noun
  • Each of the last six meetings have featured goals from both teams, with neither side keeping a clean sheet.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • What’s next In the last two weeks there have been at least two meetings where residents discussed the project and community investments.
    — DJ Simmons August 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of meetings
Noun
  • The business, which opened in downtown Lee’s Summit last fall, offers a mobile charcuterie service for off-site gatherings ranging from small get-togethers to large events.
    — Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • These three gatherings offered distinct vantage points of marketing, customer experience, and finance operations.
    — Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of gatherings
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of caucuses
Noun
  • But for me, if you are taken out of the set of conventions that usually inform your choices, that is a reward in itself.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026
  • The Chantels were pioneers sometimes trapped in the conventions of the era.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of conventions

Browse Nearby Words

conclave
conclaves
conclude
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Cite this Entry

“Conclaves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conclaves. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on conclaves

Nglish: Translation of conclaves for Spanish Speakers

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