Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

homily

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of homily

1 a public speech usually by a member of the clergy for the purpose of giving moral guidance or uplift
  • Last Sunday's homily was about being kind to your neighbors.
Synonyms of homily

sermon
Words Related to homily

address, lecture, speech, talk

exhortation

lesson
2 an idea or expression that has been used by many people
  • a TV movie filled with the usual homilies about people triumphing over life's adversities
Synonyms of homily

banality, bromide, chestnut, cliché (also cliche), commonplace, groaner, platitude, shibboleth, truism
Words Related to homily

conventional wisdom, party line, routine

inanity

generality, generalization, simplification

adage, proverb, saw, saying

old wives' tale, stereotype
Near Antonyms of homily

profundity

Learn More about homily

  1. Dictionary: Definition of homily Spanish Central: Translation of homily Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about homily

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up homily? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games