as in ecclesiastical
of or relating to a church
refused to discuss churchly matters except on Sundays
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Recent Examples of churchly
That theme, explored with light wit and deep humanity, makes this unabashedly churchly novel strikingly relevant to our conflicted political era.
—
Washington Post, 3 May 2022
The singer and rapper’s weary tales arrive with churchly trills, nu-metal groans, quiet-storm beats, and zero concern for coolness.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 14 Dec. 2021
Besides, the current Francis seems revolutionary enough for an era of ecological crisis, humanitarian disaster, and churchly scandal, especially since Wenders has the pope on camera directly sharing his thoughts with the audience.
—Ty Burr, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2018
Black leather Versace motorcycle jackets sport jeweled crucifixes inspired by Byzantine mosaics, blending edgy coolness with churchly devotion.
—Rhonda Garelick, The Cut, 10 May 2018
The music was a churchly choir, the lighting diffused, almost baroque.
—Cathy Horyn, The Cut, 15 Feb. 2018
Washington Post, 3 May 2022
The singer and rapper’s weary tales arrive with churchly trills, nu-metal groans, quiet-storm beats, and zero concern for coolness.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 14 Dec. 2021
Besides, the current Francis seems revolutionary enough for an era of ecological crisis, humanitarian disaster, and churchly scandal, especially since Wenders has the pope on camera directly sharing his thoughts with the audience.
—Ty Burr, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2018
Black leather Versace motorcycle jackets sport jeweled crucifixes inspired by Byzantine mosaics, blending edgy coolness with churchly devotion.
—Rhonda Garelick, The Cut, 10 May 2018
The music was a churchly choir, the lighting diffused, almost baroque.
—Cathy Horyn, The Cut, 15 Feb. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for churchly
Adjective
-
Because the actual date of the spring equinox can differ by a day or two, the Catholic Church created a fixed date of March 21 to define it, known as the ecclesiastical equinox.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
The first, known as the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine, argued the SBC is exempt from a court outside the denomination ruling on an internal church disciplinary matter.—
Liam Adams,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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Forbidden passion fueled the plot of The Thorn Birds in which the late Richard Chamberlain, played the priest Ralph de Bricassart, a heartthrob in ecclesiastic wear.—
Laird Borrelli-Persson,
Vogue,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Forget Fleabag, Conclave, Nobody Wants This, or Ramy, there’s a new ecclesiastic bombshell on the block.—
Riann Phillip,
Vogue,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Those generally include religious organizations like churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques in the U.S., as well as domestic nonprofit schools and hospitals.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Political and religious leaders such as Malafaia and Magno Malta embrace a vengeful Jesus willing to strike down non-believers and perceived enemies of God.—
Emi Eleode,
Time,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Churchly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/churchly. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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