1
as in meetings
a coming together of a number of persons for a specified purpose
a war council attended by the top commanders of each of the armed services
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in organizations
a group of persons formally joined together for some common interest
the neighborhood council decided to campaign for a new park
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in seminars
a meeting featuring a group discussion
summoned to a council to discuss ways that the state could improve medical care for the elderly
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in discussions
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue
an unscheduled council in the judge's chambers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 councils
Other city and town councils have weighed the issue in the months since both states passed these temporary laws.
—
Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
In all, Labour lost control of more than 30 councils across England, and around 1,500 councillors were defeated.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 12 May 2026
The proposal follows salary increases approved by councils in other cities.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2026
Deadline also understands that advisers from the White House economic and domestic policy councils have also participated in talks regarding potential federal interventions with stakeholders, including other lawmakers as well as labor leaders and studios.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 12 May 2026
In last week's elections, voters in England chose the leaders of their local councils and -- in some cases -- mayors.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 12 May 2026
While the Greens did not enjoy the runaway success that Reform experienced on Thursday, the party took several scalps from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s beleaguered Labour Party in councils across England.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 9 May 2026
Thursday’s municipal elections marked the biggest political test for Starmer since Labour’s landslide victory in the 2024 General Election, with roughly 5,000 seats contested across 136 councils in England, in addition to six mayoral races and elections for the Scottish and Welsh parliaments.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 8 May 2026
Some 5,000 seats on 136 city and county councils were up for grabs in Thursday's elections, along with six mayoral races.
—Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
In all, Labour lost control of more than 30 councils across England, and around 1,500 councillors were defeated.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 12 May 2026
The proposal follows salary increases approved by councils in other cities.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2026
Deadline also understands that advisers from the White House economic and domestic policy councils have also participated in talks regarding potential federal interventions with stakeholders, including other lawmakers as well as labor leaders and studios.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 12 May 2026
In last week's elections, voters in England chose the leaders of their local councils and -- in some cases -- mayors.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 12 May 2026
While the Greens did not enjoy the runaway success that Reform experienced on Thursday, the party took several scalps from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s beleaguered Labour Party in councils across England.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 9 May 2026
Thursday’s municipal elections marked the biggest political test for Starmer since Labour’s landslide victory in the 2024 General Election, with roughly 5,000 seats contested across 136 councils in England, in addition to six mayoral races and elections for the Scottish and Welsh parliaments.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 8 May 2026
Some 5,000 seats on 136 city and county councils were up for grabs in Thursday's elections, along with six mayoral races.
—Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for councils
Noun
-
Cassidy, a medical doctor, has broken with the HHS secretary on multiple occasions, including slamming a change to the hepatitis B vaccine schedule for infants and calling for the postponement of key vaccine advisory panel meetings.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
-
According to Korean outlet Dealsite, Apple held emergency meetings with Samsung’s semiconductor division to lock down memory for iPhone 17 production.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
The court recommended that the petition be dismissed, and that the organizations be given one month to submit the employee lists.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
The tech giant has also committed to investments in schools and nonprofit organizations in Richland Parish, as well as more than $300 million to help improve local infrastructure, from roads to wastewater management.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
As one of the largest anthropomorphics conventions in the world, attendees can expect workshops and seminars on acting, costume building, animation, writing, art and design and more.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Future Good Lease Vibes Only seminars will include input from experts in Gates’ network of real estate professionals, each one discussing his or her own specialty.—
Larry D. Urish,
Oc Register,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, or its parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium.—
Carter Braxton Worth,
CNBC,
22 May 2026
-
Yesterday, Chicago’s all-news station, along with 16 other CBS News Radio affiliates across the Audacy chain, quietly flipped the switch to ABC News, according to a source familiar with the situation.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
There have been internal discussions about the cause.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
And all of that will be facilitated by board of trade discussions with the Chinese.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Many of the buyers Newman works with are entrepreneurs and executives seeking buildings that function as extensions of both their personal and professional lives, using hospitality-style amenities and entertaining spaces to host clients and investors, as well as more social gatherings.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
19 May 2026
-
Known as the largest anime and Japanese pop culture convention in North America, the four-day event will feature hundreds of panels, industry presentations, cosplay gatherings, gaming experiences, concerts, artist showcases and exclusive merchandise vendors throughout the convention center.—
Charlie Vargas,
Oc Register,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
There will almost certainly be fewer small private colleges, and some number of public institutions will have merged.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
-
Professional commentators tended to see these developments in so many local terms—turning, for their explanations, to national histories, cultures and institutions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The conferences would determine which bowls would join the tier, with payouts, location and history likely playing a role.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
This week, several reports confirmed that the majority of power conferences and the Irish want a 24-team playoff field.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Councils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/councils. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
