encyclical 1 of 2

noun

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

Related Words

Relevance

encyclical

2 of 2

adjective

as in catholic

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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
Christopher Hale, a political consultant and founder of the newsletter Letters from Leo, said Friday’s remarks were less a new position than a redelivery of ideas already laid out in the encyclical. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 Finally, the encyclical has much to say about the exclusion of the poor but nothing to say about redistributive policies to help them. — Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 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
  • The letter was shared as Haitian police and foreign forces continue to battle gangs, with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announcing on X late Friday that a gang leader was killed, without identifying him.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Those randomly selected to benefit will be notified by email, text message and a letter in the mail that their medical debt has been eliminated.
    — Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 8 Nov. 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
  • After multiple attempts to press forward, the message of the direction of the school was received very clearly.
    — Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Was communicating an environmentalist message — or more care for animals and the natural world — something that was important to you with this project?
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of message
Adjective
  • At Nick the Greek in downtown Davis, general manager Trina Ordonez said she's noticed an increase in people experiencing homelessness coming into the restaurant.
    — Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Former Kings general manager and defenseman Rob Blake was in attendance.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 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
  • This happens because cities to a large extent are bound by their comprehensive plans, which govern how land can be used.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The Venezuelan migrant crisis The assistance and response led by Prevost in the face of the massive arrival of Venezuelan migrants in 2018 was comprehensive and had a different vision from that of the country’s other regions.
    — Claudia Rebaza, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of comprehensive
Noun
  • Since January 1, Presidential Proclamation 10998 has suspended visa issuance to Afghan nationals and removed the exemption that had covered Afghan SIVs in a preceding proclamation.
    — Matthew Marcellus, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The proclamation was accompanied by a fact sheet that noted that the Oval Office deserves greater recognition and protection.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 9 Nov. 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
encyclical
encyclicals
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Encyclical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encyclical. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on encyclical

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about encyclical

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
speech-bubble-untangle
Simplify The Convoluted Expression Quiz A quiz that’s as “uncomplicated as a round de...
See All