CHURCH Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

church

noun

ˈchərch

Definition of church

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

Relevance

as in congregation

a body of persons gathered for religious worship spoke to the whole church at once

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

laity

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 Court records reviewed by The Star show that the church revoked Moore’s ability to work with kids. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026 In documents accompanying the September hearing, attorneys for the church said that the Cathedral has about 100 off-street parking spaces; the city counted 125. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 22 Oct. 2026 Even better, the view from the dining area was a perfect slice of Rome, with ancient barrel tile rooftops and church steeples in the near distance. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026 The project at Trinity, an all-girls Roman Catholic school, ties into the church’s global initiatives to embrace environmental justice. — Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for church

Recent Examples of Synonyms for church

Noun

The deadpan family comedy follows a 63-year-old man who drags nine relatives on a one-day tour of nine temples after a fortune teller warns that his mother will soon die.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026
Just last week, a man was charged with planning a mass shooting at a Hindu temple outside Chicago.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of temple

Noun

Everyone was chatting and enjoying the beautiful weather, Spiro, a 36-year-old rabbi at Hill Havurah congregation in Washington, recalled.

— Liam Scott, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
With Noah’s career back on track, the congregation itself mostly fades into the background.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of congregation

Noun

And now chaplaincy — beyond traditional worship spaces — is attracting more clergy.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
In addition to punishing women who seek the priesthood, the Catholic Church has also sanctioned male clergy who support those ordinations.

— Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of clergy

Noun

In a 1982 interview, Dzubas described becoming obsessed with the possibility of filling a chapel with his black drawings.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Not long ago, she and Peter Koskey got married, with the unfinished house as their wedding chapel.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of chapel

Noun

San Telmo’s historic atmosphere and renowned vintage shopping scene will keep your itinerary packed, while Montserrat’s proximity to landmarks (like the cathedral and cabildo) is ideal.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
Seeking sense to her loveless existence, at least in the novel Ana attracts the predatorial lust of Magistral Fermín de Pas, her sensual confessor at La Vetusta cathedral, as well as the attentions of local Don Juan Álvaro Mejías.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of cathedral

Noun

Those who make the pilgrimage to Temple Square will encounter a host of other attractions and activities, including new exhibits, live concerts and video projections on the ceiling of the tabernacle.

— Brandon Griggs, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Built in 1892, the gospel tabernacle once was home to the Grand Ole Opry radio show from 1943 to 1974.

— USA TODAY Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026

Definition of tabernacle

Browse Nearby Words

chunters

church

churches

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Church.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/church. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of church

noun

Example Sentences

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