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
But last month in his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV addressed the potential dangers of artificial intelligence. — Scott Neuman, NPR, 11 June 2026 That brings us to the Pope’s encyclical, which gives language to the danger underneath such a bargain. — Vilas Dhar, Time, 10 June 2026
Adjective
Here, Leo’s encyclical’s defense of human dignity is key. — Vilas Dhar, Time, 10 June 2026 In his latest encyclical, the pope issued an apology for the church’s failure to condemn slavery. — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for encyclical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encyclical
  1. letter
  2. catholic
  3. message
  4. inclusionary
  5. epistle
  6. general
  7. proclamation
  8. comprehensive
Noun
  • This week, Steve Hilton, the GOP candidate for California governor, wrote a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, urging him to rescind the agency’s recent action allowing AT&T to end its copper landline service.
    — Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • As the original letter noted, the daughter-in-law and son are paying quite a lot of money for the mother’s care because the mother doesn’t have the funds.
    — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026
Definition of letter
Adjective
  • Paré-Poupart’s style gives his book a rambunctious spirit, a sense of a hungry, catholic mind at work.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026
  • But our catholic mix also results in contradictions that can curdle into hypocrisy, in ways that feel familiarly Catholic.
    — Joe Mathews, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
Definition of catholic
Noun
  • Defense attorneys unsuccessfully fought the public release of the statements from Twiggs and the chat room messages.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
  • The message from Stenberg that preceded Adeyemi’s reply is not shown in full.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of message
Adjective
  • Mountain resort areas, by contrast, are leaders in inclusionary zoning, or trying to provide homes that are affordable across a range of incomes, even though that has become an increasingly difficult task, and often involves the luck of the draw, literally via a lottery.
    — Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 17 June 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
  • 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
  • Others, like Chevanni Davids, a 33-year-old South African man living in Bali, use them to maintain a general sense of well-being.
    — Shelby Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • Ukraine's military general staff said Monday that the strike caused a fire at the facility, which is situated nearly 2,500 kilometers (1,553 miles) from Ukrainian territory and close to Russia's border with Kazakhstan.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Definition of general
Noun
  • Henkin and his clients argue the proclamation violates the 1906 Antiquities Act, which allows presidents to protect public lands as national monuments but doesn’t grant them the authority to strip protections from existing monuments.
    — Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Under the law, the governor would issue a proclamation calling for a special election.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 8 July 2026
Definition of proclamation
Adjective
  • Since the warehouse fire is so recent and cleanup has just begun, Jegede said the precise impact on gardens can’t be measured until comprehensive soil tests are conducted in the area.
    — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • According to the National Endowment for the Arts, which conducts the most comprehensive survey of the nation’s reading habits, fewer than half of all adults reported having read a book of any kind in 2022.
    — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Definition of comprehensive

Browse Nearby Words

encumbrances
encyclical
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Cite this Entry

“Encyclical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encyclical. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on encyclical

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about encyclical

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