monastic 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of monasticnext
1
as in ascetic

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words
2
as in conventual

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

monastic

2 of 2

noun

as in monk

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 monastic
Adjective
Most scholars believe the tapestry was made in England, probably in or around Canterbury, citing similarities with illuminated manuscripts associated with monastic libraries there. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 10 July 2026 Ryushin, the Buddhist monk at the center of Crows Are White was keeping his identity private until completing his monastic training. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 July 2026
Noun
The Bible’s message was seen as not only informative but salvific, and the monastic who memorized its words filled his or her soul with divine wisdom. — Literary Hub, 6 July 2026 Historical questions remain, however, regarding whether such practices were primarily reserved for monastics or widely practiced among laypeople. — Daniel M. Stuart, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for monastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monastic
  1. ascetic
  2. conventual
  3. monk
  4. monkish
  5. mendicant
  6. friar
  7. authoritarian
  8. religious
Adjective
  • And there were posters tearing apart his otherworldly self-projection as a fakir, or ascetic, depicting him in his monogrammed suits, designer sunglasses, and aircraft.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Then, over the following years, came sustainability and strict reuse and ascetic renunciation, and today, finally, its photo series and articles advocated for a mild, slightly quirky anticapitalist metaphysics.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026
Definition of ascetic
Adjective
  • Martin entered the Conventual Franciscan Friars Novitiate in Ellicott City at age 17 after graduating from Curley.
    — Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 9 Apr. 2024
  • But degraded conventual forces could drive Putin to other means of exerting force.
    — Matt Seyler, ABC News, 10 May 2022
Definition of conventual
Noun
  • Apps such as Headspace, Calm and Plum Village – inspired by the Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh – are helping people build a steady practice, reduce stress and improve sleep.
    — Ronald S. Green, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
  • Ryushin, the Buddhist monk at the center of Crows Are White was keeping his identity private until completing his monastic training.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 July 2026
Definition of monk
Adjective
  • Often made by anonymous rappers and producers with a monkish dedication to their craft, this isn’t rap for the live show but for the headphones, music where every muttered word and barely-there snare matters.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 26 June 2026
  • Designed with the neighboring 12th-century Abbaye de Sénaque in mind, the monkish minimalism—polished dark wood, long, bone-white corridors—add to the unique quality of this attractive space.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
Definition of monkish
Adjective
  • One was that literary journalism anthology the mendicant had flipped through.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025
  • The first mendicant orders, like the Franciscans and Dominicans, received papal approval in the early 13th century.
    — Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 27 May 2025
Definition of mendicant
Noun
  • Fra Giovanni da Pian del Carpine, who was a medieval Italian Franciscan friar and explorer in 1244 went to Mongolia [as a papal ambassador].
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 13 June 2026
  • The storied residence was first commissioned in 1712 by Anna Gravina, Princess of Gravina and Valguarnera, and it's also attributed to Dominican friar and architect Tommaso Maria Napoli.
    — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
Definition of friar
Adjective
  • Reliable polling remains scarce under the country’s authoritarian system.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 30 July 2026
  • And both men, despite misgivings among parts of their own populations about their corrupt and authoritarian tendencies, were largely welcomed in the West as reformers and promising economic partners.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 July 2026
Definition of authoritarian
Adjective
  • Beijing has appointed its own senior monks, maintained close surveillance and controls on religious expression, and faced allegations of cracking down on peaceful dissent and forcing the large-scale relocation of rural and nomadic Tibetans.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Singapore maintains strict rules on the public display of foreign flags and emblems without a permit, framing the laws as necessary to protect the country’s racial and religious harmony.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of religious

Browse Nearby Words

monastery
monastic
monasticism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Monastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monastic. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on monastic

Nglish: Translation of monastic for Spanish Speakers

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 invidious

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

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

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
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
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All