CHURCH Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

church

noun

ˈchərch

Definition of church

as in temple

a building for public worship and especially Christian worship a city that is noted for its many historic churches

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in congregation

a body of persons gathered for religious worship spoke to the whole church at once

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

laity

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 Originally the homeland of the Ohlone Indians, the Mission was taken over by Spanish settlers in the 1700s and so named after the Catholic church at its center, now known as Mission Dolores. — Marissa J. Lang, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026 Montilus said many Haitian members of her congregation, legal or not, are afraid to leave their homes for church. — Nathan Lee, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 The restriping and new infrastructure, advocacy groups and neighborhood associations hoped, could encourage business growth and make the street safer for the nearby schools, community centers and churches. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 The charity was created to connect needy families to churches and other community groups to help move them off of government assistance. — Liv Caputo, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for church

Recent Examples of Synonyms for church

Noun

The temple is a coveted site for wedding ceremonies, known as celestial marriages, or sealings, in which couples are bound together for all eternity.

— Brandon Griggs, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Expected attendees include entrepreneurs, educators, artists, youth leaders, faith leaders and public officials as well as representatives from temples and yoga centers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of temple

Noun

Montilus said many Haitian members of her congregation, legal or not, are afraid to leave their homes for church.

— Nathan Lee, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
As seen in Death of the Pastor’s Wife, John-Paul has continued his ministry and now preaches to a congregation of around 15 to 20 people in a series of pop-up services around Myrtle Beach.

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of congregation

Noun

The blowers want to get the sounds, which are called out by a clergy member in front of the congregation in a specific order, just right.

— Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
After his victory, Daley appointed Bowen as an executive assistant tasked with liaising between the mayor’s office and Chicago’s Black clergy.

— Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of clergy

Noun

The complaint also alleges that the entire funeral home space, including the chapel and viewing rooms, was constructed without plans or permits.

— Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
From 1937 to 1939, the muralist José Clemente Orozco filled the Hospicio's central chapel with 57 frescoes that trace Mexico's history from colonial savagery through the brutalizing hope of industrialization.

— Michael Snyder, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of chapel

Noun

Ten churches, including the city’s main cathedral, were damaged, according to Italy’s fire brigade, which responded to more than 500 emergency calls within hours.

— Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
The $4 billion white steel, glass, and marble design by the Spanish Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava — alternately compared to a cathedral and a whale carcass — looks and feels like nothing else on the planet, much less a mall.

— Anne Kadet, Curbed, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of cathedral

Browse Nearby Words

chunters

church

churches

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of church

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on church

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes