WORLDLY Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

worldly

adjective

ˈwər(-ə)ld-lē

Definition of worldly

as in cosmopolitan

having a wide and refined knowledge of the world especially from personal experience she returned from her year as an exchange student a much more worldly person

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in mundane

having to do with life on earth especially as opposed to that in heaven preoccupied with worldly concerns

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Pre-eminently rational and practical…his worldly wisdom effectively disguise[s] a shy and splendid idealism which is the very essence of the man. — Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026 Thai Buddhist temples often have icons of Hindu gods, such as Ganesha and Brahma, who are believed to grant these worldly wishes. — Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026 Rachel Cusk’s new novel, Life of M, is the story of an incredible woman — an actress, both beautiful and smart, who is worldly and curious and bafflingly friends with the narrator, despite all of those things. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026 Then, all the players lined up in a queue of shame to dump all of their worldly belongings into the laundry bin at the facility. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for worldly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for worldly

Adjective

From its airy midcentury modern design to the unbeatable views of Chicago’s skyline and Lake Michigan, Le Méridien Essex Chicago fits all the cosmopolitan chic of the Windy City’s downtown into 14 compact stories.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
This is progressive calypso, complex, and cosmopolitan, as the tracks leap out of the speakers with the propulsion of a tropical hurricane.

— Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of cosmopolitan

Adjective

Natalie Dattilo Psychologist Between regular exposure to the mundane and increased access to everything else, worries stack — and so does stress and anxiety.

— Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Even Santos’ mundane stories sound like character-building arcs in a rugged epic, never mind the ones involving animal run-ins.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of mundane

Adjective

The project also reflects the increasing importance of reliable manufacturing capacity in industries that depend on sophisticated electronic, sensing and space-related technologies.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
The Soviets and their allies might have sophisticated weaponry and boundless barbarity.

— Scott Simon, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of sophisticated

Adjective

Blending 1970s sci-fi aesthetics with a timeless world where cell phones are the only markers of temporal difference, the film blurs the boundaries between memory, history and the supernatural.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026
The team tested whether the hardware could distinguish temporal patterns using four consecutive input signals that could each be switched on or off.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of temporal

Adjective

Hence, customers with Rogers can expect the carrier to continue offering Starlink Mobile as an additional service alongside its terrestrial cell service.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
One company makes electric cars that are inherently terrestrial, ferrying millions of drivers on roads around the world.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrestrial

Adjective

Her physical absence changes nothing about the circumstances of our friendship.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
This is just a normal part of growing older, according to conventional wisdom, as if aging were a one-way street of physical decline.

— Leana S. Wen, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of physical

Adjective

Outside stands a statue of an infirm John Paul II leaning on his papal staff — a reminder of the pontiffs who have been treated here, and of their earthly frailty.

— Claudio Lavanga, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026
The community advocated a spiritual life and represented their idea of an earthly paradise.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of earthly

Cite this Entry

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“Worldly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worldly. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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