Synonym Chooser

How is the word worldly distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words earthly and mundane are common synonyms of worldly. While all three words mean "belonging to or characteristic of the earth," worldly and mundane both imply a relation to the immediate concerns and activities of human beings, worldly suggesting tangible personal gain or gratification.

worldly goods

When could earthly be used to replace worldly?

Although the words earthly and worldly have much in common, earthly often implies a contrast with what is heavenly or spiritual.

abandoned earthly concerns and entered a convent

In what contexts can mundane take the place of worldly?

While in some cases nearly identical to worldly, mundane suggests reference to the immediate and practical.

a mundane discussion of finances

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 worldly The firm is known for setting a timeless foundation, then layering in color, pattern, worldly accents, and energetic art. Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 5 Feb. 2025 Give us a peace about this decision to end our relationship that transcends worldly understanding. Raven Brunner, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025 The brand’s previous creations lean toward the realm of fantasy, often a hodgepodge of worldly inspirations and expensive materials. Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 22 Jan. 2025 Easton’s a peerless listener and lively raconteur, both curious and worldly. Matt Thompson, SPIN, 3 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for worldly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worldly
Adjective
  • Streamlined and cosmopolitan in style and substance, limited edition Wyld Box Jewelry embodies cleanly sculpted silhouettes.
    Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Nation-states and their parochial identities would give way to an interdependent and cosmopolitan future.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • On a more mundane level, people in many places were hiding fire away in closed stoves, steam engines, and furnaces.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Here was a death that was permanent in the mundane sort of way.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The Swiss skincare import creates sophisticated formulations featuring pure alpine ingredients from high altitude plants and Triple DNA, a patented marine DNA extract that deeply hydrates and boosts cell renewal.
    Bea McMonagle, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The military's main findings were that the region's most powerful and sophisticated military misread Hamas' intentions, underestimated its capabilities and was wholly unprepared for the surprise attack by thousands of heavily armed militants in the early morning hours of a major Jewish holiday.
    MOHAMMAD JAHJOUH, WAFAA SHURAFA, NATALIE MELZER AND TIA GOLDENBERG THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • From there on out, the film takes a couple of major swings in the realm of its timeline — a strange temporal unfurling — as well as the seeming motives behind A.J. and Isaac’s arrival, and Camille’s readiness to host them alongside a friend who clearly needs some alone time.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Scientists had long thought that deciphering those qualities — collectively known as prosody — happened in the superior temporal gyrus, an area of the brain associated with speech perception.
    Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The researchers assume that the meteoritic iron came from a local meteorite fall, and the recovered material was mixed with terrestrial ore.
    David Bressan, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Available from: The University of California Press, or various online and terrestrial bookstores and libraries.
    New York Times, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • March 14th brings the full moon total lunar eclipse in Virgo (2:54 a.m. EST, 23° Virgo), a major moment of truth for our mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.
    Dossé-Via Trenou, refinery29.com, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Its most significant physical feature is a segmented tread protruding from its back, and extending to the front of its face.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • How has Max died and why is his spirit anchored on the earthly plane?
    Marie-Helene Bertino, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
  • That’s an awful lot of earthly real estate, but when the asteroid becomes visible again and draws closer to us, a much more precise ground-zero could be determined.
    Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Worldly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worldly. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on worldly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!