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
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
  • Can the letter writer let sister know her fuss over food and product choices for 4-year-old nephew is hard to watch?
    — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Their letter suggested investigations by the Justice Department, Labor Department or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission if discrimination or retaliation were creating a hostile workplace were on the table.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 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
  • The message comes following Tuesday morning’s memo from David Ellison, chairman and CEO, and co-CEO Ynon Kreiz, which acknowledged that layoffs will be part of the process of integrating the two companies.
    — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The hot mic saw to it that Rodgers' message to McCarthy was loud and clear and any amateur lip reader could also clearly decipher the head coach's response to his quarterback who spent 13 seasons with him in Green Bay.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of message
Adjective
  • Officials have also decided on a general application screening and approval process, including what types of background checks will be necessary and which government agencies should be involved.
    — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Davide Sgariboldi, general manager at Euroitalia, said that causes excitement.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 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
  • To prevent that outcome, Washington needs an equally comprehensive strategy — one that takes America’s biotech ambitions as seriously as China takes its own.
    — Patrick McHenry, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Media support is equally comprehensive, offering apps like Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, and YouTube with 3D/VR enhancements, alongside Xbox Cloud Gaming.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of comprehensive
Noun
  • Before Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation, it was largely left to individual states when—or even if—to celebrate Thanksgiving.
    — Michele Metych Britannica Editors Sep. 30, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Sep. 2026
  • More than 120 National Guard members were activated, part of roughly 400 statewide after the governor issued an emergency proclamation.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 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 8 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on encyclical

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about encyclical

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of etiquette

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

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

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

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
name tags
Words Named After People Quiz Find out who’s behind "leotard," "morphine," an...
See All