monastic 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of monasticnext
1
as in ascetic

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2
as in conventual

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monastic

2 of 2

noun

as in monk

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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 monastic
Adjective
The monastic Wiesler eventually comes to believe Dreyman is harmless and in the process doubts the very foundations of autocracy itself. — David Faris, TheWeek, 27 July 2026 Practice frequently occurs within a monastic or lay community. — Ronald S. Green, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
Noun
The Bible’s message was seen as not only informative but salvific, and the monastic who memorized its words filled his or her soul with divine wisdom. — Literary Hub, 6 July 2026 Historical questions remain, however, regarding whether such practices were primarily reserved for monastics or widely practiced among laypeople. — Daniel M. Stuart, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for monastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monastic
  1. ascetic
  2. conventual
  3. monk
  4. monkish
  5. mendicant
  6. friar
  7. authoritarian
  8. religious
Adjective
  • And there were posters tearing apart his otherworldly self-projection as a fakir, or ascetic, depicting him in his monogrammed suits, designer sunglasses, and aircraft.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Then, over the following years, came sustainability and strict reuse and ascetic renunciation, and today, finally, its photo series and articles advocated for a mild, slightly quirky anticapitalist metaphysics.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026
Definition of ascetic
Adjective
  • Martin entered the Conventual Franciscan Friars Novitiate in Ellicott City at age 17 after graduating from Curley.
    — Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 9 Apr. 2024
  • But degraded conventual forces could drive Putin to other means of exerting force.
    — Matt Seyler, ABC News, 10 May 2022
Definition of conventual
Noun
  • Brother Govindananda, a monk with the order, said his organization sees AI simply as the next step to helping people access the late guru’s teachings through an online teaching portal — just as books did for previous generations.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Reverend Adachi appeared to give us an introduction, in Japanese and English, to a day in the life of a training monk.
    — Pico Iyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of monk
Adjective
  • Often made by anonymous rappers and producers with a monkish dedication to their craft, this isn’t rap for the live show but for the headphones, music where every muttered word and barely-there snare matters.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 26 June 2026
  • Designed with the neighboring 12th-century Abbaye de Sénaque in mind, the monkish minimalism—polished dark wood, long, bone-white corridors—add to the unique quality of this attractive space.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
Definition of monkish
Adjective
  • One was that literary journalism anthology the mendicant had flipped through.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025
  • The first mendicant orders, like the Franciscans and Dominicans, received papal approval in the early 13th century.
    — Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 27 May 2025
Definition of mendicant
Noun
  • The film, which is playing Out of Competition on the Lido, charts the brutality of Spanish friar Padre Enciso over the population in the 17th century.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Another work, a small double-sided panel portraying the Virgin Mary and Child with a Franciscan friar in adoration on one side and the dead Christ in Pietà on the other, was also stolen.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of friar
Adjective
  • A good number of them also have authoritarian governments, raising questions about the lack of accountability and due process to ensure the protection of the deportees’ rights.
    — Mark Banchereau, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The Gwangju Biennale was founded in 1994 to commemorate the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, during which hundreds of civilians were killed during a protest against the authoritarian military government’s brutal crackdown on civil rights.
    — Vivienne Chow, ARTnews.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of authoritarian
Adjective
  • Most are men between the ages of 18 and 49, without a college degree, earning less than $50,000 a year, less religious than average, and likely to also drink alcohol.
    — Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Deepak and Madhu Ahuja, Plano, Texas, business owners who have been married for 34 years, were in the area for a religious journey to Mount Kailash, a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists.
    — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of religious

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Cite this Entry

“Monastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monastic. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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