church

1
as in temple
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 congregation
a body of persons gathered for religious worship spoke to the whole church at once

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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

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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 church The ambitious church, situated in the Eixample district of Barcelona, is in its final phase of construction. Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025 The pews inside the spacious Catholic church were full, with people standing in the back. Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025 In late 2023, Nicole and her daughter Mackenzie drove from upstate New York and secretly picked up Natalia outside a church in Nashville. Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025 Community Relations Service employees have quietly intervened with church leaders, community leaders, relatives of victims of violence and city administrators to ward off unrest, lawsuits or boycotts. Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for church
Recent Examples of Synonyms for church
Noun
  • Huckabee said President Trump instructed him to insert a prayer written by the president into the wall - the last remaining part of a Jewish temple destroyed by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago.
    Hadeel Al-Shalchi, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The theme first cropped up in the cold open, which began ostensibly as a sketch about Easter—specifically about Jesus expelling money changers during an act known as the cleansing of the temple.
    Esther Zuckerman, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The video was shared with claims that the congregation was locked in the church as $40,000 was demanded in offerings.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Above all, Whitewater Bay was defined by its vast congregations of birds.
    Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • McCall said members of the clergy would begin to patrol the Stillwell station.
    Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Survivors who were abused by people in positions of authority such as clergy, educators and law enforcement — including correctional officers — may be even more reluctant to share their stories.
    Amanda Hernandez, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • A little later, the pair were walking through the gardens and into the chapel when Carlos finally got down on one knee.
    Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025
  • On Sunday, the Vatican released the first photo of Francis since his hospitalization, showing him at the chapel in Gemelli hospital.
    Max Foster, Christopher Lamb and Billy Stockwell, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Built in the 12th century, the cathedral features stunning Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Yes’ 1972 masterpiece was already a cathedral of sound, but Rhino’s deluxe edition transforms it into a shimmering sonic temple.
    Darryn King, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The Blessed Sacrament Chapel’s tabernacle is supported by three legs, symbolizing the Holy Trinity.
    Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Wye Oak Tavern is located in what used to be the school's chapel, with soaring ceilings, stained glass, a tabernacle, and a sizable pipe organ.
    Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 2 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Church.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/church. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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