as in ecclesiastical
of or relating to a church
the waning of ecclesial power in Europe as the number of lapsed Christians increases
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 ecclesial
During the latter half of the century, the Brazilian Catholic church shifted its approach from one that centered on elites and favored the status quo to one that promoted social justice and ecclesial and political action on behalf of the poor.
—
Chayenne Polimédio, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2019
In the case of the Synodal Path reform in Germany, some of the core of the beliefs of the Catholic Church, such as the Church’s divine constitution and ecclesial communion, the Sacraments, and the ministerial Priesthood, are being questioned once again.
—Fr. Goran Jovicic, National Review, 13 June 2021
And yet, in the process of fleeing broken ecclesial institutions, didn’t the new contemplatives also constitute a body politic?
—Fred Bahnson, Harpers Magazine, 5 Jan. 2021
Others suggest that any sort of ecclesial peace that had reigned was over and that Francis is now more exposed to critics, deprived of the moderating influence Benedict played in keeping the conservative Catholic fringe at bay.
—Nicole Winfield, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Jan. 2023
His ecclesial service was without parallel in Australia.
—Raymond J. De Souza, WSJ, 12 Jan. 2023
Throughout the ages, philosophers, theologians, physicians, members of ecclesial law courts, psychoanalysts, psychiatrists, sexologists, physiologists, and urologists have shown interest in SREs.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 6 May 2016
While increasingly common, the ecclesial apology is a relatively modern phenomenon, said Jeremy Bergen, a church apology expert and professor of religious and theological studies at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario.
—Peter Smith, BostonGlobe.com, 24 July 2022
In addition to that, one of the goals the synodal reform is to change completely the ecclesial structures of the Church in Germany and elsewhere.
—Fr. Goran Jovicic, National Review, 13 June 2021
Chayenne Polimédio, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2019
In the case of the Synodal Path reform in Germany, some of the core of the beliefs of the Catholic Church, such as the Church’s divine constitution and ecclesial communion, the Sacraments, and the ministerial Priesthood, are being questioned once again.
—Fr. Goran Jovicic, National Review, 13 June 2021
And yet, in the process of fleeing broken ecclesial institutions, didn’t the new contemplatives also constitute a body politic?
—Fred Bahnson, Harpers Magazine, 5 Jan. 2021
Others suggest that any sort of ecclesial peace that had reigned was over and that Francis is now more exposed to critics, deprived of the moderating influence Benedict played in keeping the conservative Catholic fringe at bay.
—Nicole Winfield, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Jan. 2023
His ecclesial service was without parallel in Australia.
—Raymond J. De Souza, WSJ, 12 Jan. 2023
Throughout the ages, philosophers, theologians, physicians, members of ecclesial law courts, psychoanalysts, psychiatrists, sexologists, physiologists, and urologists have shown interest in SREs.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 6 May 2016
While increasingly common, the ecclesial apology is a relatively modern phenomenon, said Jeremy Bergen, a church apology expert and professor of religious and theological studies at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario.
—Peter Smith, BostonGlobe.com, 24 July 2022
In addition to that, one of the goals the synodal reform is to change completely the ecclesial structures of the Church in Germany and elsewhere.
—Fr. Goran Jovicic, National Review, 13 June 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ecclesial
Adjective
-
She has been recognized multiple times for her age, including: Jan. 2, 2022 – Oldest Brazilian ecclesiastical person ever.—
Saleen Martin,
USA TODAY,
7 Jan. 2025
-
In the 16th century, Rabelais furnished his novels with long lists of books, using the titles to satirize ecclesiastical libraries, the clergy, and religion in general.—
Jonathon Keats,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Forget Fleabag, Conclave, Nobody Wants This, or Ramy, there’s a new ecclesiastic bombshell on the block.—
Riann Phillip,
Vogue,
31 Jan. 2025
-
But Thondup is also sharply critical of the Tibetan political and ecclesiastic elite for their gross mismanagement of their relations with China.—
Anne F. Thurston,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Feb. 2016
Adjective
-
In what President Donald Trump says is a move to protect the rule of law and free speech advocates see as an attack on it, the White House is promising tougher punishments for vandalizing public monuments, statues and religious displays.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA TODAY,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Trump supporters say that such policies – which the Education Department indirectly supported by expanding Title IX gender protections in 2024 to include discrimination based on gender identity – are at odds with parental school choice rights or, for some religious conservatives, the Bible.—
Alex Hinton,
The Conversation,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near ecclesial
Cite this Entry
“Ecclesial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ecclesial. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share