councils

noun

plural of council
1
as in meetings
a coming together of a number of persons for a specified purpose a war council attended by the top commanders of each of the armed services

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in organizations
a group of persons formally joined together for some common interest the neighborhood council decided to campaign for a new park

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in seminars
a meeting featuring a group discussion summoned to a council to discuss ways that the state could improve medical care for the elderly

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4
as in affiliates
a local unit of an organization the scout's own council chose to ignore the national organization's discriminatory policies

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in discussions
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue an unscheduled council in the judge's chambers

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 councils These youth councils ensure young people’s perspectives, priorities, and experiences are considered while legislation is being drafted – instead of after it’s already put into practice. — Darla Silva, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 And while these residents may have varying opinions on the legislation, the 43 federations, councils and other organizations that make up Jewish California have thrown their support behind it. — Sharon Udasin, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 The village has created two councils, the Young Leaders Advisory Council and the Senior Advisory Council, who will report back to the village on a variety of topics. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 According to the blunt John Adams, the American Revolution began before the war with Britain, in the people’s minds and hearts, and Arendt situated those shifts in American town councils where citizens had debated local affairs. — David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 Cleaning the new facilities could also cost public sector bodies, such as councils, more than £20 million. — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 6 Aug. 2026 The bill is opposed by the California Chamber of Commerce, a number of regional economic development councils and groups representing construction and real estate firms, chemical manufacturers and other commercial interests. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026 It’s being shaped on Main Street, in town councils and utility commissions across America. — Melody Birmingham, Fortune, 23 July 2026 Funding challenges have forced the closure of re-entry homes like the one at Charlotte’s McLeod Center and the shuttering of re-entry organizations like Redirection-NC as well as local reentry councils across the state. — Amber Gaudet july 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for councils
  1. meetings
  2. organizations
  3. seminars
  4. affiliates
  5. discussions
  6. gatherings
  7. institutions
  8. conferences
Noun
  • Here’s a closer look at the remaining meetings between division contenders.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Every single practice, right after the position meetings, Coach Reid and his staff come back.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of meetings
Noun
  • These include data centers, remote communities, Alaska Native organizations, island jurisdictions and other energy-intensive users.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The United States is now a reluctant international donor and a surly member of key international organizations.
    — Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of organizations
Noun
  • In 2012, Rich Global LLC, which sold seminars based on the lessons of the book, declared bankruptcy after a judge awarded $24 million in damages to one of the company’s former business partners.
    — Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Besides sipping on the smooth traditional drink, people will be able to munch on food pairings from local chefs that include sushi from Yama Sushi Marketplace plus other vendors, attend seminars and dance to DJ tunes.
    — Richard Guzman, Daily News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of seminars
Noun
  • Earlier this year, affiliates of al Qaeda and ​Islamic State both carried out attacks on the civilian airport and military airbase, contributing to initial suspicion that militants could have been behind the ​assault on the capital.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Matthew Erskine & Andy Busser are not affiliates of CWM, LLC.
    — Michael Gold CFP, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of affiliates
Noun
  • Republican lawmaker Carl DeMaio of San Diego has vocalized his opposition in discussions of the bill, criticizing the idea of providing funding to outlets that make political endorsements.
    — Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The study begins as international discussions around maritime nuclear technology gather pace.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of discussions
Noun
  • The Gloria Steinem Foundation now exists to maintain her New York City residence as a permanent site of the feminist movement, having housed many formative gatherings that contributed to women’s liberation.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • In recent years, Steinem had expanded her community in New York, hosting a steady stream of gatherings of women in her living room.
    — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of gatherings
Noun
  • Williams is concerned that a message telling people to rely on technology for healthcare engagement would undermine the credibility of community health workers and health institutions in general.
    — Lisa Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Local media also reported gunshots ringing out from the Plateau administrative district, where the Presidential Palace and key institutions are located.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of institutions
Noun
  • Eze, whose ministry has churches in the US, UK, and Canada, said many who attend his conferences are Black, but some are White as well.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Steinem, who struggled with stage fright most of her life, talked with women at gigantic conferences and in intimate kaffeeklatsches.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of conferences

Browse Nearby Words

council
councils
counsel
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Cite this Entry

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

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