1
as in sermon
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
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2
as in cliche
an idea or expression that has been used by many people
a TV movie filled with the usual hokey homilies about people triumphing over life's adversities
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Recent Examples of homily
President Jimmy Carter funeral: Live updates on state funeral for 39th president
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood sing 'Imagine' to honor Jimmy Carter
Brooks and Yearwood walked onto the cathedral's stage after Reverend Andrew Young delivered a homily.
—
Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
All those ornate empty buildings with men in robes waving smoke around elderly congregants, preaching homilies with references to activities as quaint as shepherding and sowing, and praying to dead saints whose miracles are now forgotten or considered dubious.
—Belinda Luscombe, Time, 1 July 2025
Pope Leo ended his first homily by talking about his new role as the leader of a flock of over 1 billion Catholics, and his most profound prayer.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
But Parolin’s sceptics point to his lack of experience working at the church’s grassroots and his flat delivery of a homily at a Mass for around 200,000 young people in St Peter’s Square, the day after Francis’ funeral.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for homily
Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
All those ornate empty buildings with men in robes waving smoke around elderly congregants, preaching homilies with references to activities as quaint as shepherding and sowing, and praying to dead saints whose miracles are now forgotten or considered dubious.
—Belinda Luscombe, Time, 1 July 2025
Pope Leo ended his first homily by talking about his new role as the leader of a flock of over 1 billion Catholics, and his most profound prayer.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
But Parolin’s sceptics point to his lack of experience working at the church’s grassroots and his flat delivery of a homily at a Mass for around 200,000 young people in St Peter’s Square, the day after Francis’ funeral.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for homily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for homily
Noun
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The country’s poor found a home in this Christian movement that preaches the prosperity gospel, believing that church sermons and donations will lead to wealth on Earth.—
Emi Eleode,
Time,
14 July 2025
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In his sermon, however, Rabbi Chorny described Alligator Alcatraz as not just a political story, but a moral story — and that Holocaust comparisons notwithstanding, it should be debated on its own terms.—
Andrew Silow-Carroll,
Sun Sentinel,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Together’s cast and special effects department alone could make for a substantive horror classic, but the script is freighted with distracting cliches and errant plot developments.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
31 July 2025
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And in a twist on the typical movie cliches, guess who plays the ditzy character this time?—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
17 July 2025
Noun
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Walz seemed to agree but then retreated to platitudes.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
25 July 2025
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Every week, there’s a new example of the upside-down logic at work in the White House: platitudes that say one thing, policies that portend another.—
Heidi Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
25 July 2025
Noun
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In response to these criticisms, colleges and universities have offered bromides – i.e., vague ideas intended to placate, not Bromo-Seltzer which is no longer available at CVS – about building industry or employer partnerships.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
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The same rule applies for hearing bromides about chasing dreams and believing in yourself.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Not necessarily the worst team, but just a season that was boring, devoid of news, etc. — Clint N. While there are a few contenders, the 2013 season stands alone for tedium and banality.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
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The costuming choices reflected the banality of the tech elites, with a few flourishes, like the bright Polaris snowmobile jumpsuits and long underwear worn in one early scene.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
30 May 2025
Noun
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As the saying goes, nobody wants to sit at the reject table.—
Pamela N. Danziger,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Of course—as the saying goes—Paris is never a bad idea, and a trip to the city isn't complete without indulging in good French cheese, hunting for vintage goods at an antique market, and people-watching at one of the outdoor cafes.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The 2025 session put a bit of a wrinkle in that truism.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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Mills was reflecting on a truism of American government that is, usually, true.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
28 July 2025
Noun
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That ancient proverb captures the mindset of American investors eyeing the Middle East as a global growth engine.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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A certain proverb about glass houses comes to mind.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Homily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/homily. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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