encyclical 1 of 2

noun

Definition of encyclicalnext
as in letter
an official writing from the Pope to the Roman Catholic bishops

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encyclical

2 of 2

adjective

as in catholic

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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 encyclical
Noun
The title was a reference to the first encyclical on Catholic social teaching, written by Pope Leo XIII in 1891. — Walter Scheirer, The Conversation, 31 July 2026 The president may be willing to write off Pope Leo XIV, who issued an influential encyclical in May warning that AI needed guardrails to protect our humanity. — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 25 July 2026
Adjective
But last month in his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV addressed the potential dangers of artificial intelligence. — Scott Neuman, NPR, 11 June 2026 Here, Leo’s encyclical’s defense of human dignity is key. — Vilas Dhar, Time, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for encyclical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encyclical
  1. letter
  2. inclusionary
  3. message
  4. general
  5. epistle
  6. comprehensive
  7. proclamation
  8. compendious
Noun
  • Brennan said his letter was based on direction offered by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in November.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The letters on Friday came on the heels of a statewide sweep by federal authorities on Monday, where 28 people from the list of 20,000 were charged with illegally registering to vote.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of letter
Adjective
  • However, the Netherland Place home was bound by Denver’s inclusionary housing ordinance, which sets affordability covenants on some homes.
    — Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2026
  • In addition to approving new services fees on May 19, the City Council unanimously approved a temporary inclusionary housing in-lieu fee.
    — Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2026
Definition of inclusionary
Noun
  • That the first foreign policy message after the victory went to Moscow, and through a Russian state outlet, says a good deal about where the new government’s instincts lie.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The allegation was previously investigated The latest allegation concerns an October 2016 New York Times story related to a secret court order that required Yahoo to scan emails for messages potentially linked to a foreign terrorist organization.
    — Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of message
Adjective
  • His dip in the polling this month seems less attributable to any new policy position or statements than to just a general gloom among California residents about the state’s direction, Baldassare said.
    — Andrew Graham October 27, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • That’s the case in Baltimore County as well — the administrative officer is paid a flat annual salary and does not receive general increases or cost-of-living adjustments.
    — Natalie Jones, Baltimore Sun, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of general
Noun
  • The main theme of the letters over time emphasizes long-term value creation, but the epistles have drawn criticism from the political left and right.
    — byDebbie Carlson, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Mar. 2026
  • For example, in several Epistles, the apostle Paul speaks often about the Christian hope in God through Jesus Christ.
    — Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 20 Jan. 2026
Definition of epistle
Adjective
  • However, the database is far from comprehensive and represents about a fifth of Homeland Security's workforce, which staffs a little more than 220,000 people.
    — Vanessa Romo, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The others asserted vested development rights and reliance on county representations, leaving only the comprehensive plan challenge, which asserted that commissioners wrongly rejected housing that complied with the county’s growth policies.
    — Sarah Kinbar, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of comprehensive
Noun
  • To accelerate deer control measures, Hawaiʻi has issued more than two dozen emergency proclamations in recent years.
    — Tovar Cerulli, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
  • All these people are always at parties and issuing proclamations to each other at parties.
    — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of proclamation
Adjective
  • Some may have wondered what shadows or secrets lay beneath the exuberant charm, and that is part of what drives Sara Wheeler’s compendious and at times skeptical biography.
    — Pico Iyer, Air Mail, 2 May 2026
  • In this compendious biography, Willaschek provides a vivid and accessible account of Kant’s ideas, life, and times.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of compendious

Browse Nearby Words

encumbrances
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Cite this Entry

“Encyclical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encyclical. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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