ECCLESIASTICAL Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

ecclesiastical

adjective

i-ˌklē-zē-ˈa-sti-kəl

Definition of ecclesiastical

as in ecclesiastic

of or relating to a church ecclesiastical laws that have been in existence for centuries

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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 ecclesiastical The government may not decide that Church teaching is insufficiently religious, insufficiently consistent with Catholic doctrine, or insufficiently compelling to justify an ecclesiastical policy. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026 The Zaporizhyan ecclesiastical design belonged to the Middle Dnieper architectural school and was built with wooden pegs instead of nails, using oak from a fortress. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 6 Aug. 2026 An East Texas federal judge dismissed the lawsuit in June, ruling that a First Amendment protection known as the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine applied to the church. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Aug. 2026 But the chapel, heavy with the scent of ecclesiastical incense, felt as genuine as could be, worn from nearly two centuries of worship. — Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for ecclesiastical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ecclesiastical

Adjective

This will be followed by a final period in Florence to learn the technique and historical evolution of egg tempera, to acquire ancient handweaving skills and expand her knowledge of its applications in the ecclesiastic context.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
Back then, Kennedy was constantly fending off accusations from Protestant ecclesiastic types who were wary that his nomination meant the pontiff, John XXIII, was already packing his bags for a move into the White House.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026

Definition of ecclesiastic

Adjective

Its accompanying music video, directed by longtime U2 collaborator Anton Corbijn, was filmed in the California desert and satirizes the band as a religious cult in which women do the heavy lifting.

— Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week Hasan’s execution would be livestreamed, eliciting pushback from Democrats, Republicans and religious advocates about the idea.

— Corbin Bolies, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of religious

Adjective

The group formed after students went viral for holding a mock papal election in their classroom.

— Darius Johnson, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Church officials in Argentina, the homeland of Leo's predecessor Pope Francis, urged parishioners to put the pontiff's well-being ahead of their excitement over the country’s first papal visit in four decades.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of papal

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ecclesiastic

ecclesiastical

ecclesiastics

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

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Synonyms of ecclesiastical

adjective

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