ECCLESIASTICAL Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

ecclesiastical

adjective

i-ˌklē-zē-ˈa-sti-kəl

Definition of ecclesiastical

as in ecclesiastic

of or relating to a church ecclesiastical laws that have been in existence for centuries

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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 ecclesiastical The Zaporizhyan ecclesiastical design belonged to the Middle Dnieper architectural school and was built with wooden pegs instead of nails, using oak from a fortress. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 6 Aug. 2026 An East Texas federal judge dismissed the lawsuit in June, ruling that a First Amendment protection known as the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine applied to the church. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Aug. 2026 But the chapel, heavy with the scent of ecclesiastical incense, felt as genuine as could be, worn from nearly two centuries of worship. — Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026 Walsh’s ruling gave the OCA, which is the largest of three Russian Orthodox ecclesiastical bodies in the United States, authority to govern the parish and the judge ordered the parish’s former leaders to vacate the property by June 2025. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ecclesiastical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ecclesiastical

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, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026

Definition of ecclesiastic

Adjective

Though religious thinkers will fight fiercely to show one of the stories to be the one that religion really sanctions, each Abrahamic religion has signposts pointing both ways.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Today it is shown with regularity in religious schools, and has a fervent following among theater kids.

— Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of religious

Adjective

Its evolution and that of the surrounding estate have been determined by border disputes between papal states and grand duchies, by World Wars, and, in the second half of the 20th century, by brute economics, industrialization, and urbanization.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
For Leo, that distinction comes from making the highly recognizable papal wardrobe part of his own public style.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of papal

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ecclesiastic

ecclesiastical

ecclesiastics

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“Ecclesiastical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ecclesiastical. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of ecclesiastical

adjective

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