as in lessons
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 sermons
The show, which featured sermons and interviews, expanded her reach beyond her congregation and contributed to her emergence as a televangelist.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
Even when the Lord’s name was left out, Stanley speeches sounded like sermons.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
Late in his life, Dollison delivered sermons for Church of Christ congregations in Rector, Greenway and Jonesboro, as well as in the Missouri communities of Leachville and Campbell.
—Arkansas Online, 25 Apr. 2026
And the notes that accompany the sermons in outline form are strikingly similar to those Bickle provided for years, even down to the practice of boldfacing, italicizing and underlining certain points.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Kish won’t use magic during sermons.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
This was evident in the themes of his sermons.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Friday prayer leaders often deliver sermons aligned with government messaging.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Inside were sermons, political tracts, and educational booklets.
—Regina E. Mason, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
Even when the Lord’s name was left out, Stanley speeches sounded like sermons.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
Late in his life, Dollison delivered sermons for Church of Christ congregations in Rector, Greenway and Jonesboro, as well as in the Missouri communities of Leachville and Campbell.
—Arkansas Online, 25 Apr. 2026
And the notes that accompany the sermons in outline form are strikingly similar to those Bickle provided for years, even down to the practice of boldfacing, italicizing and underlining certain points.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Kish won’t use magic during sermons.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
This was evident in the themes of his sermons.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Friday prayer leaders often deliver sermons aligned with government messaging.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Inside were sermons, political tracts, and educational booklets.
—Regina E. Mason, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sermons
Noun
-
How many hotels make free lessons in language, hula, lei making, and ukulele a round-the-clock endeavor?—
Laura Dannen Redman,
Robb Report,
14 May 2026
-
Fifty-one years later, Three Days of the Condor offers business leaders lessons in individual resilience, creative problem solving in chaos and the value of transparency under pressure.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
In response to complaints last year about a student speaker who criticized Israel, the university required that some student graduation speeches be recorded ahead of time, a requirement that didn’t apply to speakers like Haidt.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
16 May 2026
-
But perhaps Powell will be best remembered as a target – of angry tweets, speeches, and ultimately a criminal investigation, by the very president who nominated him in the first place.—
Kenny Malone,
NPR,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Cole’s canvases were synthetic constructions teeming with homilies.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
No lectures, no homilies, no empty words.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, European governments are assessing the merits of opening talks with Putin.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
Trump is expected to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday for talks covering a wide-ranging agenda, with Iran war, trade, rare earth export controls, and Taiwan among the central issues.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sermons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sermons. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
