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
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Recent Examples of sermon
On Shabbat, the Acheinu, a prayer for liberating those held in captivity, was recited from the bimah, an elevated platform where sermons are often delivered.
—
Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
The homily during the liturgy of the Word marks the archbishop’s first sermon as archbishop.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
And as with any sermon, there is a lesson to impart.
—Jazmine Hughes, Allure, 24 Mar. 2026
The prayer is paired with a khutbah, or sermon, that emphasizes the importance of maintaining the good habits formed during Ramadan.
—Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sermon
Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
The homily during the liturgy of the Word marks the archbishop’s first sermon as archbishop.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
And as with any sermon, there is a lesson to impart.
—Jazmine Hughes, Allure, 24 Mar. 2026
The prayer is paired with a khutbah, or sermon, that emphasizes the importance of maintaining the good habits formed during Ramadan.
—Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sermon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sermon
Noun
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The show teaches kids important lessons about friendship, imagination, family, and the joy of being yourself.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
12 Apr. 2026
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The lesson is that scare stories of food prices skyrocketing in the next few weeks due to war in the Persian Gulf are overblown.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In an 8-1 decision, the court found the ban regulates speech based on viewpoint and sent the case back to a lower appeals court to reassess its ruling using strict scrutiny, the highest standard of judicial review for issues related to the First Amendment.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
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That changed during the barnstorming finale of his speech in Budapest late Tuesday.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Leo used his homily at Mass in the Monaco stadium to do just that, urging the faithful to reject the type of idolatry that has enslaved people in cycles of war and injustice.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Mar. 2026
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Beneath the metallic veneer, though, her songs had the tenderness and precision of a homily.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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After the lecture, Gould took questions.—
Megan Molteni,
STAT,
7 Apr. 2026
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This art history lecture series about Art Deco, presented by architectural historian Diane Kane, kicks off Thursday and continues April 16, 23 and 30.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sermon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sermon. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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