1
as in churches
a body of persons gathered for religious worship
the whole congregation began to sing with great fervor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in assemblies
a body of people come together in one place
a congregation of journalists were at the hotel bar, discussing the latest developments
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of congregations
But mirroring a national trend of shrinking religious orders and congregations, the last nuns left in 2022.
—
Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Leaders and members of more than 600 congregations of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church have signed onto a full-page ad in The Charlotte Observer condemning aggressive conduct by federal immigration agencies.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 4 Feb. 2026
Three region locations were among the 24 congregations statewide to receive grants through the nonprofit’s Sacred Places Indiana Fund to address capital needs at historic houses of worship.
—Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Some rabbis cite the challenge of holding together congregations during times of heightened political divisions and growing tensions over the Israel-Hamas war.
—Luis Andres Henao, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
All of this has left room for upstarts such as Douglas Wilson’s Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, a growing network of more than 150 Christian-nationalist congregations.
—Hillary Rodham Clinton, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Today, as a result of California’s law, at least 80 congregations in Los Angeles are exploring housing projects on their lands, according to Barragán’s office.
—Linh Tat, Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
At the same time, many progressive church leaders, facing dwindling congregations and general public apathy, have become more careful about appearing partisan in any way, which has allowed right-wing Christian nationalism to define the conversation about religion and politics.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2026
In a state where some Christian congregations are so large that churches use local law enforcement to help direct traffic, synagogues are scarcer sights.
—Bracey Harris, NBC news, 14 Jan. 2026
Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Leaders and members of more than 600 congregations of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church have signed onto a full-page ad in The Charlotte Observer condemning aggressive conduct by federal immigration agencies.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 4 Feb. 2026
Three region locations were among the 24 congregations statewide to receive grants through the nonprofit’s Sacred Places Indiana Fund to address capital needs at historic houses of worship.
—Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Some rabbis cite the challenge of holding together congregations during times of heightened political divisions and growing tensions over the Israel-Hamas war.
—Luis Andres Henao, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
All of this has left room for upstarts such as Douglas Wilson’s Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, a growing network of more than 150 Christian-nationalist congregations.
—Hillary Rodham Clinton, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Today, as a result of California’s law, at least 80 congregations in Los Angeles are exploring housing projects on their lands, according to Barragán’s office.
—Linh Tat, Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
At the same time, many progressive church leaders, facing dwindling congregations and general public apathy, have become more careful about appearing partisan in any way, which has allowed right-wing Christian nationalism to define the conversation about religion and politics.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2026
In a state where some Christian congregations are so large that churches use local law enforcement to help direct traffic, synagogues are scarcer sights.
—Bracey Harris, NBC news, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congregations
Noun
-
The bill, which has similar versions in the House and in the Senate, would exempt volunteers who provide armed security services at churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship from the required Class D and G licenses held by professional security services.—
Lauren Costantino
February 5,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Martin has given her presentation to countless audiences, including programs at schools, churches, park district and twice for the American Medical Association.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Space Launch System rocket's mobile launch platform is equipped with two tail service masts, large side-by-side structures at the base of rocket that house propellant lines leading to pull-away umbilical assemblies on a side of the booster's engine compartment.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The decree banned all political activities and public assemblies, with martial law troops moving to seize control of the National Assembly.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The VdR–Industry program, which runs from April 19 to 22, includes project presentations, conferences and networking opportunities.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The hotel and water park regularly serve as a venue for meetings, conferences and events, including the 2017 Wisconsin Republican Party convention and last year's state Democratic Party convention.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Non-Orientable Nkansa, 2017, one of his earliest large-scale installations, announced his dedication to monumental assemblages that fixate on negligence and crumbling edifices.—
Edna Bonhomme,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
-
His artworks, which include paintings, sculptures, mixed-media assemblages, mosaics, photographs, and film, are full of mood and foreboding.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
All three meetings between the two NFC West powers were decided by one score.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Johnson had 11 points and 12 rebounds and Lendeborg added 14 points and 14 rebounds for Michigan, which has won six of the past seven meetings.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Such gatherings are totally counter to AI’s onslaught of decontextualized content.—
Imogen West-Knights,
The Dial,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Guadalupe has increased police patrols and invested in aerial surveillance systems, including drones and counter-drone technology, to monitor large public gatherings.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Congregations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congregations. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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