as in synods
formal
a private or secret meeting or group
a conclave of bishops
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Recent Examples of conclaves
In 16th-century Italy, gamblers could wager on the election of civic magistrates and the outcome of papal conclaves.
—
Parker Bach,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
Behind the large wooden door, its frescoed walls closed to the general public reveal details of the compound's dramatic history, including papal conclaves and the Inquisition interrogation of Galileo Galilei.
—
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Parker Bach,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
Behind the large wooden door, its frescoed walls closed to the general public reveal details of the compound's dramatic history, including papal conclaves and the Inquisition interrogation of Galileo Galilei.
—
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conclaves
Noun
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Another clutch offering is a workstation for getting computer work done in between meetings.
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Not only that, but government meetings are just clicks away on your cell phone or laptop, an advance that was hastened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Noun
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Videos from these gatherings showing chanting crowds beneath concert lights, audience members crying, hugging strangers and dancing barefoot have racked up millions of views online.
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For years, the singer has marked the Fourth of July holiday with gatherings at her Rhode Island home, hosting friends and family for celebrations that became a hallmark of her summers.
Noun
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Republicans are already committed to making the Iowa caucuses their first contest in 2028, and delaying the Democratic caucus could reinforce the idea that Democrats don’t prioritize rural voters, the Iowa presenters said.
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Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada have traditionally been among the first states to hold presidential primaries or caucuses, although neither party has set its formal presidential primary and caucus calendar yet.
Noun
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Luke Russert joined his father for major political conventions and occasional shows on the road, Fischer Martin said.
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Motown is part of the pitch to businesses considering Detroit for conventions, conferences and other large gatherings, Ollinger said.
Cite this Entry
“Conclaves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conclaves. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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