church

1
as in temple
a building for public worship and especially Christian worship a city that is noted for its many historic churches

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2
as in congregation
a body of persons gathered for religious worship spoke to the whole church at once

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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

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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 church Outside the church, during a small montage, Spencer properly reunited with and hugged Emily, David, Penelope, Luke and Tara, and met Tyler and Rebecca. Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 22 May 2025 Meanwhile, Lorrie ran The Shop on the Corner in the Episcopal church for 24 years. Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 22 May 2025 What emerged from this great leap backward was a diverse efflorescence of art that directly addressed the very things the church ignored. Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025 The church put new flooring into its basement less than a year ago, said Sherry Johnson, a longtime volunteer who helped with the cleanup. Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for church
Recent Examples of Synonyms for church
Noun
  • There was not, however, much to see beyond the screen, the camera, the button and a USB-C port at the bottom of the left temple.
    Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 22 May 2025
  • The Connaught According to Ferreira, The Connaught is the temple.
    Rachel Dube, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ties to Christ Church as a member of a Tennessee congregation affiliated with the church.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 21 May 2025
  • The mayor sat down in front of the large South Side congregation for a discussion with the church’s pastor, Dr. Byron Brazier.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Earlier this month, the DOJ launched an investigation into a Washington state law that requires clergy members to report information about child abuse or neglect obtained during confessions, without exemptions for Catholic priests' confessional privilege.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
  • The Swiss Army lined the outside of the Vatican among clergy and people waving patriotic indicators from around the globe in celebration of the leader of the Catholic Church emerging from the balcony and beginning his papacy.
    Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • Support group for widowed The widowed support group of First United Methodist Church of Mount Dora will have its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. May 22 in the church’s chapel, 333 E. Fifth Ave.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2025
  • On Friday, the chapel was restored to its central purpose: A place of worship.
    Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • These scans combined with subsequent scans to contribute to a 3D model with detailed representations of the cathedral’s flying buttresses, arches, ribbed vaults, intricate wood carvings and stained glass, guiding the more than $700 million restoration.
    Ronald Bisio, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • To celebrate him, hundreds of people filled the lush plaza in front of the city’s towering, yellowing cathedral.
    Marco Garro, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Miller also noted that the original tabernacle of the church survived, along with 17th-century lead coffins that visitors can view under a glass floor.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • 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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Cite this Entry

“Church.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/church. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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