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
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Recent Examples of sermons
After the pandemic hit and the church began to stream its services, prayers and sermons, Guthrie started to watch.
—
Sarah Lapidus, AZCentral.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Michael Rudzena, pastor of Good Shepherd New York, said that Guthrie would visit the church before the pandemic and that, during lockdowns, the church began filming and posting services and sermons online.
—Liz Kreutz, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
Long before his sermons, the bling, and the criminal convictions, Singh was the only son of a landlord in a quiet Rajasthan village, according to the group’s website.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
The pulpit where sermons were preached looked like an abstract disaster.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Churchome had been moving toward remote worship already, rolling out an app with livestreams, bite-size sermons, and a live-chat function.
—Sam Kestenbaum, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2026
With actual recordings of controversial sermons and tons of archival footage, the documentary investigates claims of cult-like control while exploring how Mary’s reality TV stardom complicated an already messy situation.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 1 Jan. 2026
Leo, celebrating his first Christmas after being elected in May by the world's cardinals to succeed the late Pope Francis, has a more quiet, diplomatic style than his predecessor and usually refrains from making political references in his sermons.
—Joshua McElwee, USA Today, 25 Dec. 2025
On good days, Mani meditated, drank water, tidied his apartment, and listened to monk sermons.
—Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Sarah Lapidus, AZCentral.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Michael Rudzena, pastor of Good Shepherd New York, said that Guthrie would visit the church before the pandemic and that, during lockdowns, the church began filming and posting services and sermons online.
—Liz Kreutz, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
Long before his sermons, the bling, and the criminal convictions, Singh was the only son of a landlord in a quiet Rajasthan village, according to the group’s website.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
The pulpit where sermons were preached looked like an abstract disaster.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Churchome had been moving toward remote worship already, rolling out an app with livestreams, bite-size sermons, and a live-chat function.
—Sam Kestenbaum, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2026
With actual recordings of controversial sermons and tons of archival footage, the documentary investigates claims of cult-like control while exploring how Mary’s reality TV stardom complicated an already messy situation.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 1 Jan. 2026
Leo, celebrating his first Christmas after being elected in May by the world's cardinals to succeed the late Pope Francis, has a more quiet, diplomatic style than his predecessor and usually refrains from making political references in his sermons.
—Joshua McElwee, USA Today, 25 Dec. 2025
On good days, Mani meditated, drank water, tidied his apartment, and listened to monk sermons.
—Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sermons
Noun
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Join yoga classes by the pool, head to a local golf course, or book tennis lessons on the estate.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
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This holiday celebration, returning to NorthPark Center for the eighth year, will feature lion and dragon dances, special crafts and activities, book giveaways, a mini ponies meet-and-greet, Chinese calligraphy lessons, a musical performance, and more.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Observed on the third Monday of February each year, the special day is celebrated through patriotic parades, historical reenactments, and readings of major presidential speeches, including Washington’s Farewell Address.—
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
14 Feb. 2026
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In a season obsessed with volume and victory speeches, Lilleaas’ ascent has been defined by trust, vulnerability and the radical act of listening.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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No lectures, no homilies, no empty words.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
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In his fiery homilies, the Monsignor seems to target one new congregation member per week, pushing for the victory of a walkout.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Noun
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Hours after the first day of talks ended on Tuesday, Russian drones killed a woman and injured a 6-year-old girl and 18-month-old toddler in the southern Ukraine city of Zaporizhzhia, officials said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
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Araghchi said the talks yielded a general agreement on guiding principles.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sermons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sermons. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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