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 The church asks the court to declare and recognize its legal right to grow and use sacred plants, including marijuana, for religious reasons without the government interfering. Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2025 Traditionally, a cemetery’s care fell to families and churches. Paige Williams, New Yorker, 2 June 2025 Lori began baking and sharing recipes with friends, at farmers markets and her church coffee shop. Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2025 In 1860, members of Smith's immediate family and others who had rejected Young's leadership sought to reorganize the church Smith had led. Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for church
Recent Examples of Synonyms for church
Noun
  • The temple would be almost as tall as the Tower building in downtown Elgin and would be the size of two box stores, opponents said.
    Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
  • The pyramid served as a pre-Inca temple and played a part in various ceremonies.
    Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • The congregation of about 20 people frantically waved hand fans and watched as Jones performed the baptism.
    Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2025
  • Former leaders of the Saints Peter & Paul Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church, a 70-year-old congregation that was once a mansion belonging to Miami’s first mayor, have been ordered by a judge to vacate the property by Friday and open the doors to the Orthodox Church in America.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Following Trump’s latest victory, White-Cain became the first female clergy member to pray at a presidential inauguration and now serves as the first female primary spiritual adviser to a U.S. president.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
  • Ukraine’s foreign ministry in April also accused Russia of religious oppression in occupied territories, where hundreds of churches have been destroyed, and some 67 clergy members killed since the start of the war.
    Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 5 June 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 11 Jun. 2025.

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