1
as in sermon
a public speech usually by a member of the clergy for the purpose of giving moral guidance or uplift
last Sunday's homily was about being kind to your neighbors
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2
as in cliche
an idea or expression that has been used by many people
a TV movie filled with the usual hokey homilies about people triumphing over life's adversities
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Recent Examples of homily
An announcer then said on Vatican Radio that Francis decided not to read the homily.
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Greg Wehner, Fox News, 25 Mar. 2024
An announcer on Vatican Radio then said the pope had decided to not read the homily.
—Philip Pullella, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
On Palm Sunday — a week before Easter — millions around the globe watched as Francis, at the last minute, decided to forgo delivery of his homily.
—Anthony Faiola, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
The Vatican gave no immediate explanation for why the pope skipped the homily.
—Philip Pullella, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for homily 
Greg Wehner, Fox News, 25 Mar. 2024
An announcer on Vatican Radio then said the pope had decided to not read the homily.
—Philip Pullella, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
On Palm Sunday — a week before Easter — millions around the globe watched as Francis, at the last minute, decided to forgo delivery of his homily.
—Anthony Faiola, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
The Vatican gave no immediate explanation for why the pope skipped the homily.
—Philip Pullella, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for homily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for homily
Noun
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The mosque, one of the world's oldest dating back some 1,200 years, is a beloved symbol of Syria, and sermons there -- like all mosque sermons across Syria -- were tightly controlled under Assad's rule.ALBERT AJI AND MATTHEW LEE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 14 Dec. 2024
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The mosque, one of the world’s oldest dating back some 1,200 years, is a beloved symbol of Syria, and sermons there like all mosque sermons across Syria had been tightly controlled under Assad’s rule.Albert Aji and Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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According to Nate, what makes working with Marielle satisfying isn’t just her determination to avoid the cliche, but her willingness to look for the best idea up until the last possible minute.Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 3 Dec. 2024
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Of the many threadbare cliches passed down among wine lovers, the idea that white wines do not merit aging is among the most egregious.Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 25 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Nathanson plumps the story with platitudes and moments that could lead to, well, more franchising.Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024
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So Nandor sits down with Guillermo and attempts to sympathize with him, while Colin offers empty platitudes better suited to a coffee mug.Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The two-dimensional characters communicate in bromides; Lena’s fellow privates, who suffer from the laziest defining characteristics (coarse Southern gal, proper preacher’s daughter, New Yorker), are the worst offenders.Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024
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In place of triumph-of-the-human-spirit bromides, though, what the book delivers is its own kind of cinema, harsh and true.New York Times, New York Times, 8 July 2024
Noun
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Generally, the drama does spectacularly well with abiding by a primal sense of magical realism — the finding of wonderment in the banal and the insertion of banality into the wondrous.Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Dec. 2024
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None capture the awkward banality of the candidate’s actual campaign stop.Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2024
Noun
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And there's a saying here in India - in a road mishap, the blame goes to whoever's got the more expensive vehicle.New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Dec. 2024
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Their father, an airline pilot, went out for the proverbial pack of cigarettes and never returned, as the saying goes.EW.com, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
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These challenges underpin the truism that while AI can transform finance, the potential will be realized only with more than just technological investment.Erum Manzoor, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
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The motivation behind the truisms is to create a workplace that employees want to go to — without a back-to-office mandate.Anna Butler, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2024
Noun
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To paraphrase an old proverb, the best time to connect the fights for trans and reproductive rights was decades ago.Colleen Hamilton, Them, 4 Dec. 2024
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This brings up the proverb of wanting to have your cake and eat it too.Lance Eliot, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Homily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/homily. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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