church

noun

ˈchərch How to pronounce church (audio)
Definition of churchnext
1
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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Foreign ambassadors laid wreaths and the Patriarch of Lisbon, a senior Catholic church official, offered a blessing. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 Today, ballroom is becoming increasingly visible in theaters, festivals, Pride celebrations, churches and other civic spaces. — Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026 After the hearing, each member of the City Council lauded the church and its mission — even as Meredith Stead, Kathy Corless and Jordan Morales voted to deny the permit. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 2026 Corle, 59, is one of the church deacons and works at nearby Eielson Air Force Base. — Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for church
Recent Examples of Synonyms for church
  1. temple
  2. congregation
  3. clergy
  4. chapel
  5. cathedral
  6. tabernacle
Noun
  • The portable, retractable cream stick delivers warmth and definition rather than a wash of color, blending easily across the cheekbones, temples, and other areas where the sun naturally hits.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The temple, with its pagoda-style roof, has been around for centuries and is considered one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in Asia.
    — Andrew Jones, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of temple
Noun
  • Montilus said many Haitian members of her congregation, legal or not, are afraid to leave their homes for church.
    — Nathan Lee, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • As seen in Death of the Pastor’s Wife, John-Paul has continued his ministry and now preaches to a congregation of around 15 to 20 people in a series of pop-up services around Myrtle Beach.
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of congregation
Noun
  • Among the mourners and dozens of clergy at Trinity Cathedral in midtown Sacramento on Thursday was a man who met Jerry Lamb just once but whose life the late bishop touched.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The blowers want to get the sounds, which are called out by a clergy member in front of the congregation in a specific order, just right.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of clergy
Noun
  • The complaint also alleges that the entire funeral home space, including the chapel and viewing rooms, was constructed without plans or permits.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • From 1937 to 1939, the muralist José Clemente Orozco filled the Hospicio's central chapel with 57 frescoes that trace Mexico's history from colonial savagery through the brutalizing hope of industrialization.
    — Michael Snyder, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of chapel
Noun
  • Ten churches, including the city’s main cathedral, were damaged, according to Italy’s fire brigade, which responded to more than 500 emergency calls within hours.
    — Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The $4 billion white steel, glass, and marble design by the Spanish Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava — alternately compared to a cathedral and a whale carcass — looks and feels like nothing else on the planet, much less a mall.
    — Anne Kadet, Curbed, 24 Aug. 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
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Cite this Entry

“Church.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/church. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on church

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about church

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