1
as in churches
a body of persons gathered for religious worship
the whole congregation began to sing with great fervor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Maundy Thursday services were held at First Presbyterian Church of Elgin and Good Friday with the African American Christian Ministers Alliance, a group of Black pastors and their congregations in the area, and their counterparts from the Aurora-area at Second Baptist in Elgin.
—
Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Growing congregations have an incentive to publicize their numbers, which declining ones lack.
—Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
In some modern Jewish congregations, contemporary afflictions and forms of oppression are incorporated into Passover observances alongside the traditional biblical plagues.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Morris is the founder of Gateway Church, a multi-site megachurch based in Texas with one of the largest evangelical congregations in the state.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Disagreements over the war have disrupted family dinners, upended friendships, and splintered congregations.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
When Catholic, Protestant, evangelical and independent congregations work together, something unusual occurs.
—Michael J Christensen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Celebrations at home and in community While traditionally a home celebration, many congregations also hold larger Seders so that participants — especially those with few family connections or who are unable to prepare the meal — can have a place to celebrate with others.
—Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
The attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, one of the largest synagogue congregations in the country, rocked the community.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Growing congregations have an incentive to publicize their numbers, which declining ones lack.
—Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
In some modern Jewish congregations, contemporary afflictions and forms of oppression are incorporated into Passover observances alongside the traditional biblical plagues.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Morris is the founder of Gateway Church, a multi-site megachurch based in Texas with one of the largest evangelical congregations in the state.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Disagreements over the war have disrupted family dinners, upended friendships, and splintered congregations.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
When Catholic, Protestant, evangelical and independent congregations work together, something unusual occurs.
—Michael J Christensen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Celebrations at home and in community While traditionally a home celebration, many congregations also hold larger Seders so that participants — especially those with few family connections or who are unable to prepare the meal — can have a place to celebrate with others.
—Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
The attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, one of the largest synagogue congregations in the country, rocked the community.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congregations
Noun
-
Along with their official duties, Rockingham said the group also had time to visit some of Rome’s significant sites, from a number of famous old churches to some of the remnants of ancient Rome, like the Colosseum.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
For these folks, churches are superfluous — at best.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The flexible stack can be laminated under existing display or interface assemblies, allowing integration without major redesigns or complex component integration.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The assemblies aren’t the end of the nomination process — indeed, some of the highest-profile names in Democratic politics are foregoing it.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There are annual conferences, key networking events that function as temporary epicenters.—
Bill Gurley,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The 1926 auditorium, designed by Chicago architects Benjamin Marshall and Charles Fox (whose resumes also include the Drake and Blackstone Hotels), once housed surgical conferences.—
Lauren Warnecke,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Though many were faded and dusty, the assemblages nevertheless crackled with an almost urgent vibrancy, beckoning the viewer closer.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
30 Mar. 2026
-
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
-
The teams split two previous meetings, so the winner Monday wins the tiebreaker if the teams finish tie.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Curtis Reigh, one of nine Republicans running for county commissioner, also cited the lack of public comment at board meetings as a reason for increased interest among candidates, including younger contenders.—
Rhiannon Evans,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Breakfast at Sophia works perfectly for multi-generational gatherings.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
-
On Sunday, police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the church, citing security concerns as Israel enforces a ban on gatherings in synagogues, churches and mosques during the ongoing war with Iran, which has brought missile strikes near holy sites.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Congregations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congregations. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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