as in ecclesiastic
of or relating to a church
ecclesiastical laws that have been in existence for centuries
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Recent Examples of ecclesiastical
The first, known as the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine, argued the SBC is exempt from a court outside the denomination ruling on an internal church disciplinary matter.
—
Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
In an initial ruling in March, Walsh sided with the OCA, the largest of three Russian Orthodox ecclesiastical bodies in the United States.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025
Deacons gather two objects: a fisherman’s ring and the pallium, an ecclesiastical vestment worn by the Pope.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 9 May 2025
Generally, though, there’s not a lot of poetry in the fight scenes, despite Michôd mixing in ecclesiastical choral music with Antony Partos’ score.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for ecclesiastical
Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
In an initial ruling in March, Walsh sided with the OCA, the largest of three Russian Orthodox ecclesiastical bodies in the United States.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025
Deacons gather two objects: a fisherman’s ring and the pallium, an ecclesiastical vestment worn by the Pope.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 9 May 2025
Generally, though, there’s not a lot of poetry in the fight scenes, despite Michôd mixing in ecclesiastical choral music with Antony Partos’ score.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for ecclesiastical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ecclesiastical
Adjective
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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
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America has no aristocracy or ecclesiastic master class.—
Brian T. Allen,
National Review,
12 Feb. 2022
Adjective
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Her parents emphasized religious training, sending the children to Catholic elementary schools.—
Jan Goldsmith,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
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After years of advocating to expand private and religious education and homeschooling, using tax dollars, a cadre of conservative activists is in a position to push forward its agenda.—
Megan O’Matz,
ProPublica,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Established in 1506, the Swiss Guard's mission is to always guard and protect the pope and his official residence, the Apostolic Palace, as well as cardinals who gather during the papal conclave.—
Katie Kindelan,
ABC News,
2 Oct. 2025
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Among those attending the event was Arnold Schwarzenegger, the actor and former Governor of California, who is supporting papal efforts on climate.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ecclesiastical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ecclesiastical. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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