EARTHLY Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'earthly' distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words mundane and worldly are common synonyms of earthly . While all three words mean "belonging to or characteristic of the earth," earthly often implies a contrast with what is heavenly or spiritual. // abandoned earthly concerns and entered a convent

Q: When is 'mundane' a more appropriate choice than 'earthly'?

In some situations, the words mundane and earthly are roughly equivalent. However, mundane suggests reference to the immediate and practical. // a mundane discussion of finances

Q: How are the words 'worldly' and 'mundane' related as synonyms of 'earthly'?

Worldly and mundane both imply a relation to the immediate concerns and activities of human beings, worldly suggesting tangible personal gain or gratification. // worldly goods

earthly

adjective

ˈərth-lē

Definition of earthly

as in temporal

having to do with life on earth especially as opposed to that in heaven a sermon against our obsession with earthly pursuits

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How is the word earthly distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words mundane and worldly are common synonyms of earthly. While all three words mean "belonging to or characteristic of the earth," earthly often implies a contrast with what is heavenly or spiritual.

abandoned earthly concerns and entered a convent

When is mundane a more appropriate choice than earthly?

In some situations, the words mundane and earthly are roughly equivalent. However, mundane suggests reference to the immediate and practical.

a mundane discussion of finances

How are the words worldly and mundane related as synonyms of earthly?

Worldly and mundane both imply a relation to the immediate concerns and activities of human beings, worldly suggesting tangible personal gain or gratification.

worldly goods

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 earthly And as his earthly life drew to a close, that belief gave him peace. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026 Fortunately for us mere mortals, goddess braids are very much an earthly delight. — Eden Stuart, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026 In the chamber’s center, a drop of water on a chip contains the chemistry of whatever earthly era or exoplanetary site the group is trying to re-create. — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026 More importantly, the Zellner brothers platform earthly elements, like music and food, as our most essential joie de vivre. — Cortlyn Kelly, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for earthly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for earthly

Adjective

Meanwhile, real data infrastructure applies temporal reasoning, asking not just who an entity is, but precisely when that information was valid.

— Filip Popovic, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Distance is often flattened in horror through spatial-temporal confusion.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of temporal

Adjective

When Coco Lyons picks up her daughter Zuri, 6, from Discovery Elementary School, their discussions typically revolve around rather mundane topics.

— Aparna Zalani, NBC news, 1 Nov. 2026
The news came out in a mundane, bureaucratic way, as information about prospective land sales in midsize cities often does.

— Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of mundane

Adjective

Deuterium–tritium fusion is the most readily attainable reaction for terrestrial fusion power, operating at lower temperatures than other leading fuel combinations.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Hence, customers with Rogers can expect the carrier to continue offering Starlink Mobile as an additional service alongside its terrestrial cell service.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrestrial

Adjective

As on Does Spring Hide Its Joy, the question of who is making what sound—of what physical processes generated the music that now floats from a pair of headphones—loses its charge within a few minutes.

— Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
The acquisition adds expertise in developing AI systems that allow robots to understand their environments and perform physical tasks.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of physical

Adjective

Vegetable Oils Vegetable and seed oils are some of the richest non-animal dietary sources of CoQ10.

— Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 16 July 2026
Computer models and other non-animal testing methods still aren’t the best available science, critics contend.

— Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026

Definition of animal

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“Earthly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earthly. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of earthly

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