councils

noun

plural of council
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

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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
as in affiliates
a local unit of an organization the scout's own council chose to ignore the national organization's discriminatory policies

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 councils Half of the 20 seats on the supervisory board are appointed by worker councils. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026 Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sent regulatory priorities to the nation’s regional fishery councils, which environmentalists say reveal a direct attack on fishery management and ocean conservation. — Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 Advisory councils and ad hoc committees of external scientists approve new research priorities, provide a second-level review of grants, and advise the agency in setting scientific directions. — Mark Histed, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026 Despite the cuts, the 2026 budget includes about $900,000 in new spending on a data practices team, technology, cyber-security and support for neighborhood district councils. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 16 June 2026 How such a system could be replicated in a nation of tens or hundreds of millions is unclear, although Landemore sees encouraging signs in advisory citizen councils that have been convened in Canada, Ireland, Iceland, and France. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 The median base salary for councils across peer cities was $78,707, according to the Columbus compensation commission. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026 The auditor’s report also noted that four of the Department of Agriculture’s 12 boards, councils, or working groups did not file their schedule of regular meetings with the Secretary of State. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2026 Voters are also electing members of local government councils. — ABC News, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for councils
  1. meetings
  2. organizations
  3. seminars
  4. affiliates
  5. discussions
  6. gatherings
  7. institutions
  8. conferences
Noun
  • Hamid Khan, an organizer with the privacy advocacy group Stop LAPD Spying, said that his organization has been showing up at police commission meetings to complain about Flock since early 2025.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
  • But Oman hasn’t been publicly leading mediation efforts, so why are high-stakes meetings taking place in Muscat?
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of meetings
Noun
  • Funding challenges have forced the closure of re-entry homes like the one at Charlotte’s McLeod Center and the shuttering of re-entry organizations like Redirection-NC as well as local reentry councils across the state.
    — Amber Gaudet July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • Gartner reported in 2026 that organizations with successful AI initiatives invest up to four times more in data quality, governance, AI-ready people and change management than organizations reporting poor outcomes.
    — Robert Kramer, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of organizations
Noun
  • The atmosphere was not much better in my upper-level seminars.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • They will be associated with Accor and Swissôtel activities for 18 months, which can include activations such as inspiration talks, conferences and seminars for Accor employees and members of the group’s loyalty program.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 28 June 2026
Definition of seminars
Noun
  • The government is still offering rewards of up to $10 million for information on BlackCat administrators and affiliates.
    — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026
  • The broadcast networks did not carry the speech, but it was carried by streaming services and affiliates.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 9 July 2026
Definition of affiliates
Noun
  • Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Android in the last seven days.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • Kenneth Malin, the West Cedar Creek MUD’s general manager, did not respond to a message requesting comment on the district’s discussions with Diode.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026
Definition of discussions
Noun
  • There is an exemption to the gift rules that allows free entry to gatherings that are widely attended and paid for by third parties, but only if certain conditions are met.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
  • Use music intentionally for transitions, gatherings and shared rituals.
    — Bija Bennett, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of gatherings
Noun
  • This swept away Iran’s monarchy and birthed a state that is part theocracy, part republic, with a handful of semi-democratic institutions swaddled by a system that is ultimately clerical.
    — Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Many of the same institutions and organizations that offer classes are also looking for teachers.
    — Amanda Gardner, Martha Stewart, 5 July 2026
Definition of institutions
Noun
  • The conferences are managed by a team whose plan was to hold the conference in the same place two years in a row.
    — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2026
  • Kappel said the hall will be open to organizations in the community and the public for planning events, including musical programs, conferences, films, and lectures, as well as to business leaders who may want to host corporate events there.
    — Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 10 July 2026
Definition of conferences

Browse Nearby Words

council
councils
counsel
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Cite this Entry

“Councils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/councils. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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