churches

noun

plural of church
1
as in temples
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 congregations
a body of persons gathered for religious worship spoke to the whole church at once

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3
as in clergies
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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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 churches It was meant to connect Floridians in need with private charities and churches, moving them off government assistance. — Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026 Over the past several decades, however, a growing percentage of people in Latin America, long a Catholic stronghold, have been embracing evangelical churches. — Johanna Bard Richlin, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026 Spanish police have recovered three religious artworks stolen from churches in Valladolid over the summer, bringing the case one step closer to a miraculously happy ending. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Rogers has also targeted the Black vote in Detroit through appearances at churches and closed door conversations. — Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Volunteers are taking petitions to popular local spots like Target, Walmart, Harris Teeter, churches, businesses and other area YMCAs to gather widespread support. — Chase Jordan october 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026 The church is looking into hosting Zoom versions of the lyric and Bible study, and church leaders have passed the curriculum to other Presbyterian churches interested in hosting their own version of the event. — Lina Abascal, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 The reconstruction of one of the nation's oldest Black churches, where congregants gathered in secret before building a meeting house in Virginia, was celebrated Friday. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 Various homes, roads, hotels, government buildings, businesses and churches have sustained structural damage, according to the civil protection system. — Michael Rios, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for churches
  1. temples
  2. congregations
  3. cathedrals
Noun
  • The shrine is the place where two ancient Jewish temples stood in antiquity, and it is considered by Jews to be the holiest spot on Earth.
    — Ilan Ben Zion, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Pinhole microphones are located on the top and bottom of each temple, near the front, while thin speaker grilles sit just in front of where the temples narrow and curve to fit behind the ears.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of temples
Noun
  • The seven temples — at a conservative estimate — represent congregations of about 15,000 people, said Jasjit Singh, a Sikh community leader and trustee for the Sacramento City Unified School District.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • In September, the LDS church stated its opposition to Prop 1 in a letter that was read on two different days in all of its congregations, Whitlock said.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of congregations
Noun
  • Originally inspired by the basilicas and cathedrals of Paris, Luminiscence co-founder Romain Sarfati and his team developed a way to engage visitors with the historic architectural beauty surrounding them.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Notre Dame Stadium is one of the cathedrals of college football.
    — Curt Rallo, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of cathedrals

Browse Nearby Words

church
churches
churchgoer
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Cite this Entry

“Churches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/churches. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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