Definition of worldlynext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word worldly distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words earthly and mundane are common synonyms of worldly. While all three words mean "belonging to or characteristic of the earth," worldly and mundane both imply a relation to the immediate concerns and activities of human beings, worldly suggesting tangible personal gain or gratification.

worldly goods

When could earthly be used to replace worldly?

Although the words earthly and worldly have much in common, earthly often implies a contrast with what is heavenly or spiritual.

abandoned earthly concerns and entered a convent

In what contexts can mundane take the place of worldly?

While in some cases nearly identical to worldly, mundane suggests reference to the immediate and practical.

a mundane discussion of finances

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 worldly The real wrench in her life, however, comes with the arrival of worldly siblings Mary (Embeth Davidtz) and Henry Crawford (Alessandra Nivola), especially when Fanny's uncle tries to marry her off to Henry. Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025 All our worldly comforts are now at stake. ABC News, 16 Nov. 2025 The Day Zero team comprises of incredibly talented people who connect in a very special way once a year in Mexico to create an other-worldly experience. Katie Bain, Billboard, 12 Nov. 2025 Forces of good and evil collide in a terrifying film where real-world challenges crash headlong into other worldly creatures and myths. Justin Kroll, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for worldly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worldly
Adjective
  • The Democratic Socialist's speech was peppered with an array of cosmopolitan references.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Xi’s predecessor Jiang Zemin, who served as president between 1993 and 2003, was known for his flamboyant personality, cosmopolitan flair and willingness to show off his language skills and interact with journalists.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Most cops have hero dreams, protector fantasies that sustain them through days that are mostly mundane.
    Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Big fantastical ones, but also ones that feel so normalized and mundane and get extrapolated to their most dystopian and absurd.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Similar to Hudson’s, my find from Nordstrom has a sophisticated mock-neck top and long pants.
    Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Pinabel described the gourmand scent, created by Givaudan perfumers Nisrine Bouazzaoui Grillié and Nadège Le Garlantezec, as chic, elegant and sophisticated.
    Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The researchers were trying to test a concept known as temporal discontinuity, in which a brief amount of time passes between the introduction of an item and the assignment of its name.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Of course, school felt like a temporal abyss for a lot of young people, especially those who were violently singled out for their differences.
    Alex Jovanovich, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Like terrestrial monsters, evil aliens are often stand-ins for real-life anxieties.
    Alan Bradley, Space.com, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Now, industry eyerolling at the thought of listening faster has existed since the majority of audio storytelling moved from terrestrial radio—where there’s no skipping, scrubbing forward or backward, and certainly no way to speed things up—to podcasting.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • So commences a night of harrowing encounters and trauma both physical and mental, starting with Ron and Mike’s trip to meet Oliver at a bar after one of his shows.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Perez does not break down training into physical and tactical work, instead designing complex exercises so players build fitness while practising real-game situations.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Sátántangó’s desolate landscapes, dominated by mud, wind, and overcast skies, summoned a vision of earthly purgatory unrivaled in almost all of cinema.
    Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2026
  • The earthly experience of personal grief and privation that inspired such transcendent beauty is mind-bending in its own way.
    Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Worldly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worldly. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

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