ECCLESIASTIC Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

ecclesiastic 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˌklē-zē-ˈa-stik

Definition of ecclesiastic

as in ecclesiastical

of or relating to a church a council to make final determinations on ecclesiastic matters

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ecclesiastic

2 of 2

a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church as the leading ecclesiastic for his church in the state, the bishop must be beyond reproach in everything he does

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 ecclesiastic

Adjective

This will be followed by a final period in Florence to learn the technique and historical evolution of egg tempera, to acquire ancient handweaving skills and expand her knowledge of its applications in the ecclesiastic context. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 7 May 2026 Back then, Kennedy was constantly fending off accusations from Protestant ecclesiastic types who were wary that his nomination meant the pontiff, John XXIII, was already packing his bags for a move into the White House. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026 Waugh was based for many years in a grand house in nearby Combe Florey and adapted this local ecclesiastic landmark for fictional purposes. — Literary Hub, 12 Feb. 2026 Think of it like an ecclesiastic LinkedIn. — Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 11 Oct. 2025 Forbidden passion fueled the plot of The Thorn Birds in which the late Richard Chamberlain, played the priest Ralph de Bricassart, a heartthrob in ecclesiastic wear. — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2025 The Vatican defended the extension by saying the agreement was purely ecclesiastic and pastoral in nature, and not political. — Nicole Winfield, Star Tribune, 22 Oct. 2020 But Thondup is also sharply critical of the Tibetan political and ecclesiastic elite for their gross mismanagement of their relations with China. — Anne F. Thurston, Foreign Affairs, 23 Feb. 2016

Noun

Of all the precious goods accumulated by the rulers and ecclesiastics of late medieval Ethiopia, the most charged of all were books. — Peter Brown, The New York Review of Books, 24 Sep. 2020 This shop for ecclesiastics has an exquisite selection of high-quality pieces. — Zoe Ruffner, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2019 Rather, Ryrie, a prize-winning historian as well as an ecclesiastic, has broadened his scope to take in nearly 750 years of doubt and disbelief in the professedly Christian West. — Graham Hillard, National Review, 5 Dec. 2019 The old cloister, as the walled domain of the Chapter of Canons was called, housed unusual and not invariably pious persons, as well as the worldly ecclesiastics themselves. — Bruce Dale, National Geographic, 17 Apr. 2019 This was the Fairy Tree L’Arbre des Dames or Le Beau Mai tree, whereupon extra-ecclesiastic celebrations were staged. — C.d. Wright, Harper's magazine, 10 Jan. 2019 There are nearly 70 community leaders — from entrepreneurs to ecclesiastics (and a rabbi thrown in for good measure) — who have joined to address the problems that have held Louisville back for decades. — Joseph Gerth, The Courier-Journal, 2 Feb. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ecclesiastic

Adjective

McQueen juxtaposed religious imagery with the brutality of war, incorporating Don McCullin's photographs of the Vietnam War into garments alongside ecclesiastical tailoring, bumster trousers, and thorn-like headpieces.

— Livia Caligor, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026
Any matters requiring legal enforcement are referred directly to the Texas judicial system, said the tribunal, which likened its work to the services provided by Jewish Beth Din courts and Catholic ecclesiastical tribunals.

— David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of ecclesiastical

Noun

In an email sent to priests of the archdiocese on Saturday afternoon and shared with NPR, Archbishop Ronald Hicks also said the deal had not yet been signed but that an agreement had been reached with plaintiffs and their attorneys.

— Chandelis Duster, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
The Georgetown initiative focuses on descendants of slaves sold by Georgetown's Jesuit priests to slaveholders in Louisiana.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of priest

Adjective

As same-day voters go to the polls for the midterm elections next week, the Supreme Court will hear a major religious liberty case over a Colorado universal preschool program with implications beyond the Centennial State.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
Reactions could be split along religious lines—and some belief systems may be better equipped to deal with aliens than others, experts say.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of religious

Noun

But DeFalco is drawn to the sidewalk dwellers, street preachers and parking-lot boozers who also lurk down there and help (or hinder) Ten, usually at a loud volume.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Hollander plays Judge Jack Taylor, an authoritative man who weighs his words carefully, possessing both the warmth and charm of a country preacher and the cold edge of a cult leader.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of preacher

Noun

Without the charismatic clergyman, what kind of unruly Black-underclass anger would take the stage?

— Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
When Yakovlev mentioned the clergyman who attended the death-bed, Adelaide expressed surprise that John had asked to see a pastor.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of clergyman

Noun

Essential California asked the bishop about his letter and the church’s role in the immigration debate while checking in with a couple of Catholic scholars who offered their perspectives.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Asked whether the White House had or hadn't received the bishop's consent for releasing the photos and video, the press office declined to answer that question.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of bishop

Browse Nearby Words

ecclesial

ecclesiastic

ecclesiastical

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Cite this Entry

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“Ecclesiastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ecclesiastic. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of ecclesiastic

adjective

noun

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