CANONICAL Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

canonical

adjective

Definition of canonical

as in apostolic

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

as in authoritative

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 canonical It’s been owned and operated by the namesake family since 1894 for canonical Italian hits like cannoli, rainbow cookies, and tiramisu exactly as nonna makes them. — Kyle Beechey, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Aug. 2026 In canonical abuse investigations, victims are mere third-party witnesses to their cases. — ABC News, 22 July 2026 The situation began to change when the novelist Stewart O’Nan published an influential essay in the Boston Review in 1999, arguing for Yates as a canonical American author. — Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026 The men’s hairstyles, and often their physiognomies, frequently seem to converge on the canonical portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart. — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for canonical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for canonical

Adjective

On June 2, 1979, Pope John Paul II set out from Rome on an apostolic journey, as papal trips away from the Vatican are called.

— Paul Elie, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church directed his remarks to university students at the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, during an 11-day apostolic journey in Africa.

— Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026

Definition of apostolic

Adjective

Because these procedures can be incredibly complex, each chamber of Congress has a parliamentarian who provides authoritative, objective, and nonpartisan guidance on how rules and precedents should be interpreted and applied.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Their strategic advantage lies in leveraging local expertise and trusted, authoritative content directly within AI interfaces.

— Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of authoritative

Adjective

For Leo, that distinction comes from making the highly recognizable papal wardrobe part of his own public style.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Ghost have shared the new trailer for 2 Big to Rig, the upcoming concert film documenting the Swedish papal heavy metal outfit’s 2025 gigs in Mexico City.

— Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2026

Definition of papal

Adjective

After returning to the United States, Novakovic attended an Episcopal boarding school in San Antonio, Texas.

— byRachel Cole, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 May 2026
On New Year’s Eve in 1996, Christou followed Deadbeat with a club at a former Episcopal church that was built in 1865.

— Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 26 Feb. 2026

Definition of episcopal

Adjective

After studying Fine Art, Alon became a certified wildlife guide, going on to work in some of Africa’s most remote wilderness areas, including the Congo Basin, Odzala-Kokoua National Park and the Central African Republic.

— Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
In an interview with Fox News Digital, certified yoga and fitness instructor Hilaria Baldwin shared her tips for building an effective exercise routine – and sticking to it.

— Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of certified

Adjective

The best family offices do not treat trust administration as clerical work.

— Michael Gold CFP, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Critics of Iran's clerical rulers hoped initially that Iran's government would collapse amid a bombing campaign that killed Iran's most senior military and religious officials, including its supreme leader.

— Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of clerical

Adjective

Perhaps his greatest legacy at UCF is Dean was coaching in 1991 when UCF finally moved out of its tiny dank gymnasium and into its first legitimate basketball arena — a sparkling, by UCF standards, 5,100-seat facility.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Although some agencies said the officers’ Flock searches appeared to be connected to legitimate narcotics investigations or training exercises, many took swift disciplinary action.

— Kenny Jacoby, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of legitimate

Browse Nearby Words

canon

canonical

canonize

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Style

“Canonical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canonical. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of canonical

adjective

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