1
as in meetings
a coming together of a number of persons for a specified purpose
a war council attended by the top commanders of each of the armed services
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in organizations
a group of persons formally joined together for some common interest
the neighborhood council decided to campaign for a new park
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in seminars
a meeting featuring a group discussion
summoned to a council to discuss ways that the state could improve medical care for the elderly
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4
5
as in discussions
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue
an unscheduled council in the judge's chambers
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of councils
There and throughout the West Bank, voting determines the makeup of local councils tasked with overseeing water, roads and electricity.
—
Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Independent central banks, fiscal councils, that leads to good policies that protect countries, especially at the time of a shock.
—CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
That fall, during councils with Native leaders, York played a surprising and vital role.
—Craig Fehrman, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Probst also confirmed that the jury, which will have a say in the eventual winner of the season, would begin after the three tribal councils that night.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
That fall, during councils with Native leaders, York played a surprising and vital role.
—Craig Fehrman, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
One called Rabin’s government a Judenrat, the Nazi term for Jewish councils appointed to oversee ghettos.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar function as monarchies in which consultative councils advise but do not substantially constrain the ruler.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Mar. 2026
Exacerbating the problem is that four town councils – Hebron, Lowell, Kingsbury and Pines – have yet to appoint a representative.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Independent central banks, fiscal councils, that leads to good policies that protect countries, especially at the time of a shock.
—CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
That fall, during councils with Native leaders, York played a surprising and vital role.
—Craig Fehrman, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Probst also confirmed that the jury, which will have a say in the eventual winner of the season, would begin after the three tribal councils that night.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
That fall, during councils with Native leaders, York played a surprising and vital role.
—Craig Fehrman, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
One called Rabin’s government a Judenrat, the Nazi term for Jewish councils appointed to oversee ghettos.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar function as monarchies in which consultative councils advise but do not substantially constrain the ruler.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Mar. 2026
Exacerbating the problem is that four town councils – Hebron, Lowell, Kingsbury and Pines – have yet to appoint a representative.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for councils
Noun
-
Geopolitics aside, central bank meetings are a key focus as the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and peers in Japan, the UK and Canada are all scheduled to decide on policy.—
Ashutosh Joshi,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Eventually, the meetings adjourned and turned into a social occasion.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The two organizations have been collaborating to design and build a pipeline to provide water and recycled water to the tribal reservation.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Indeed, researchers have studied job insecurity for decades and reached the overwhelming consensus that the sentiment is a net negative for organizations.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
With a heavy emphasis on what works psychologically, seminars, books and college classes are trying to change how people approach climate change, by talking more about community and happiness than sacrifice.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The biannual gathering celebrates the work of the renowned philanthropic initiative, led by the Olga Rabinovich Institute and supporting the Brazilian film sector through talent development, bursary programs, seminars and mentorship.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, or its parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium.—
Carter Braxton Worth,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Gazan journalists and media personnel continue to be posthumously identified as members of terrorist groups, highlighting the difficulty of distinguishing terror affiliates from civilians.—
Beth Bailey,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Already ongoing for days ahead of the visit, discussions about handling security intensified after a heavily armed man sprinted through security and got yards away from the banquet hall crowded with about 2,000 journalists, federal officials and celebrities before he was tackled to the ground.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
In the streets of Washington, word of the alarming development spread through discussions with rideshare drivers and in the overheard comments of tuxedoed attendees who blurted out comments in smartphone conversations while walking away from the original site of the dinner.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The excitement of the fight for freedom and justice, combined with the energy of mass gatherings, was seductive.—
Nataliya Gumenyuk,
The Dial,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The thrill of the secret gatherings remains, but a situation that had seemed impossibly distant now feels disorientingly near.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That’s a gentle way of saying that those institutions must be prepared, at times, to coerce.—
Nikhil Krishnan,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Power increasingly concentrated outside formal institutions Vahidi’s rise comes at a moment when Iran’s formal political institutions appear weaker than ever.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Saudi Arabia doesn’t depend as much on foreign tourists, but internal travel is driven by events, and as conferences, concerts, and major sporting fixtures like Formula 1 have been postponed, bookings have dried up.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Expanding the playoff to 16 teams, for example, would allow for more playoff spots and take some of the disadvantages of tough schedules away from those conferences.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Councils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/councils. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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