congregation

noun

ˌkäŋ-gri-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce congregation (audio)
Definition of congregationnext
1
as in church
a body of persons gathered for religious worship the whole congregation began to sing with great fervor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in assembly
a body of people come together in one place a congregation of journalists were at the hotel bar, discussing the latest developments

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 congregation Eventually, the conservatives succeeded; the denomination finally divided in a schism in 2024, with more than seventy-six hundred congregations leaving to join a conservative Global Methodist Church. — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026 As the first lady of Solid Rock Church, Mica was considered a welcoming face in the congregation and often sought out friendships and personal relationships with new members. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026 From 2015 to 2025, the sect’s congregations in Idaho experienced 15 preventable deaths of children, according to ProPublica’s reporting. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 26 Aug. 2026 As the congregation starts to rebuild, the exhibition also highlights their resilience and the living blueprint of what comes next. — Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for congregation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congregation
  1. church
  2. assembly
  3. assemblage
  4. conference
  5. meeting
  6. audience
Noun
  • Investigators later determined the shooter fired more than 100 rounds from a rifle into the church.
    — Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • And in 1911 a disgruntled ex-Mormon hid a camera under his coat and snapped surreptitious photos of the temple’s interior in an unsuccessful attempt to blackmail the church.
    — Brandon Griggs, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of church
Noun
  • During the test, the lock and pivot assembly showed no displacement or structural failure.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • To sweeten the deal, simple assembly gets you to the lounging part faster.
    — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of assembly
Noun
  • Beginning in 1989, oil and acrylic paints gave way to olive oil, henna, tea, spices, and coffee, while animal glue, mud, and leather also shaped the group’s posters, paintings, and mixed-media assemblages.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Played completely deadpan by Konopka, the character beneath this daft assemblage of aesthetic choices makes no real sense as a functionary in this dry, dark future, much less as its hero.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of assemblage
Noun
  • Mamdani opened the news conference by expressing his condolences to the victims and their families and thanking the officers who responded.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • At the time, the school praised his leadership through UCLA’s conference realignment and his efforts to improve the athletic department’s financial position.
    — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of conference
Noun
  • The rare meeting underscored Washington's willingness to reopen high-level diplomatic channels with Moscow, even as European allies have intended to keep the nation isolated while the war continues.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The board is expected to appoint poll workers, approve the notice of election and hold a public test of voting equipment during upcoming meetings in September.
    — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of meeting
Noun
  • The series made that departure without sacrificing character depth – each member of the ensemble was given distinct motivation and a narrative arc, allowing audiences to build investment across the run.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Closing out her inaugural Daisy Chain Fields music festival in Southern California, the 23-year-old singer-songwriter united and amplified an audience of tens of thousands.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of audience

Browse Nearby Words

congregating
congregation
congregations
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Cite this Entry

“Congregation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congregation. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on congregation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about congregation

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