1
as in temple
a building for public worship and especially Christian worship
a city that is noted for its many historic churches
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in congregation
a body of persons gathered for religious worship
spoke to the whole church at once
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in clergy
the group ordained to perform clerical functions in the Christian church
a time when few young men seem to want to join the church
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of church
Chronister abruptly withdrew his name in December for the DEA post days after being tapped by Trump following concerns over his enforcement of COVID-19 protocols in Florida, including at a church.
—
Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Feb. 2025
Louisiana, Arizona end pauses on capital punishment as 3 executions set for March Texas pastor with simple dream killed in his own church.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Their resettlement was being handled by Welcome Corps, a Biden-era program in which a group of U.S. citizens—in this case, a church in East Tennessee—can sponsor a refugee.
—Belinda Luscombe, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
The only real prejudice Desiree encounters is from the pastor at the family church, and even that’s in the form of microaggressions rather than outright hostility.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for church 
Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Feb. 2025
Louisiana, Arizona end pauses on capital punishment as 3 executions set for March Texas pastor with simple dream killed in his own church.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Their resettlement was being handled by Welcome Corps, a Biden-era program in which a group of U.S. citizens—in this case, a church in East Tennessee—can sponsor a refugee.
—Belinda Luscombe, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
The only real prejudice Desiree encounters is from the pastor at the family church, and even that’s in the form of microaggressions rather than outright hostility.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for church
Recent Examples of Synonyms for church
Noun
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The frames are precision-engineered with bold yet sleek details, the temples are wider, and the proportions are unisex.—
Luisa Zargani,
WWD,
17 Feb. 2025
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Viewers will see the temples Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen and Thai Wat Pho featured, as well as the Chao Phraya River.—
Devorah Lev-Tov,
AFAR Media,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The congregation, which is keeping Wash Park in its name for now, works with nonprofits around town.—
Matthew Geiger,
The Denver Post,
15 Feb. 2025
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Lovie Smith and Ben Johnson were in the congregation at St. Emily’s Church for the private funeral mass the next day.—
Dan Pompei,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The allegations have caused outrage among survivors of clergy abuse, who feel betrayed by the Saints' involvement in the scandal.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
4 Feb. 2025
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That litigation, filed in 2020, involves more than 600 people who say they were abused by clergy.—
Brett Martel,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Gathering of family and friends will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral chapel.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2025
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Wye Oak Tavern is located in what used to be the school's chapel, with soaring ceilings, stained glass, a tabernacle, and a sizable pipe organ.—
Madeline Weinfield,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Consider the Roman Catholic pageantry and aesthetic splendor of it all, with the ceremonial rites, the pilgrimages to grand cathedrals (St. Dolby’s, St. Beverly Hilton’s), lots of sermonizing, and even fast days.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2025
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More than 170 proposals were submitted, including by famous architects like Eugène Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc, who was in the midst of restoring Notre Dame cathedral.—
Elliott Verdier,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Blessed Sacrament Chapel’s tabernacle is supported by three legs, symbolizing the Holy Trinity.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
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Wye Oak Tavern is located in what used to be the school's chapel, with soaring ceilings, stained glass, a tabernacle, and a sizable pipe organ.—
Madeline Weinfield,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near church
Cite this Entry
“Church.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/church. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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