as in lesson
a public speech usually by a member of the clergy for the purpose of giving moral guidance or uplift
a sermon whose message was that we should love our neighbors as much as we love ourselves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 sermon
But Jackson often visited Central Florida, giving stem-winding sermons in Eatonville or Parramore focused on threats to voting rights and the dangers of gun violence.
—
The Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
In 2018, Jackson delivered a fiery sermon inside Bright Hope Baptist Church in North Philadelphia.
—Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
But forgive me if Monday’s sermon didn’t come across like a man ready to tackle the NL West.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026
That’s this week’s sermon, my friends.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sermon
The Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
In 2018, Jackson delivered a fiery sermon inside Bright Hope Baptist Church in North Philadelphia.
—Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
But forgive me if Monday’s sermon didn’t come across like a man ready to tackle the NL West.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026
That’s this week’s sermon, my friends.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sermon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sermon
Noun
-
The Dodgers group that now owns the Lakers was granted a compelling history lesson during an hourlong ceremony that culminated in a theatrical unveiling of Riley’s statue, smartly situated between the bronzes of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
As for Vitello, this spring will be less about what’s on the scoreboard and more about the lessons that come with checking off the next box.—
Haley Smilow,
Mercury News,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Rubio, who in the hours before the speech also briefed members of Congress's Gang of Eight on Iran, was to return to Washington on Wednesday.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
Arkansas Online,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The tribute underscored the enduring legacy of the war, even as contemporary tensions on the peninsula went unaddressed in the speech.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In his homily, Leo framed Christmas as a call to recognize human fragility and respond with care rather than indifference, repeatedly returning to the theme of peace as something already present but easily ignored.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Dec. 2025
-
This was Pope Leo XIV’s call to action during his homily at Mass in Beirut near the site of the Beirut port explosion.—
Lynn Zovighian,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The event is designed as more than a lecture.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The Daniel Pearl Memorial lecture series honors the late journalist and is considered the capstone of the university’s Burkle Center for International Relations.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sermon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sermon. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
