congregation

noun

ˌkäŋ-gri-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce congregation (audio)
Definition of congregationnext
1
as in church
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 assembly
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

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 congregation The organization began in 1865 when a Lutheran pastor and his congregation opened an orphanage near Red Wing. — Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 28 July 2026 Participants need not be members of the congregation to attend, the release said. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026 The annual Christmas brunch was a potluck led by volunteers from the congregation and open to anyone in the community who might be looking for a place to be on Christmas, Neely said. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 24 July 2026 In some Jewish congregations Pirkei Avot is recited and studied on the Sabbath, typically on Sabbaths from Passover until Shavuot, or in some Jewish communities until Rosh Hashanah. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for congregation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congregation
  1. church
  2. assembly
  3. assemblage
  4. conference
  5. meeting
  6. audience
Noun
  • In June, a federal judge ruled against Katherine and Garry Leach, finding that federal courts could not weigh in on how churches spend their donations, citing First Amendment protections.
    — Giles Hudson, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Originally famed for the company’s organs that swelled Detroit theaters and churches, the situation became perilous after Wurlitzer and the remaining tenants all left by 1982.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of church
Noun
  • Engineers must align all parts to millimeter-level tolerances during pre-assembly so the components fit accurately once placed in the reactor cavity.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026
  • The wrist is a complex assembly of eight bones, three principal joints, ligaments and tendons, with scant muscle around them.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of assembly
Noun
  • There’s also a collage and a striking large assemblage by Louise Nevelson.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 30 July 2026
  • The building’s exterior is an unconventional assemblage of ten sculptural cones clad in stainless steel mesh, onyx, and glass, rising up to 280 feet into the sky.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 29 July 2026
Definition of assemblage
Noun
  • His mother earned all-conference honors as a distance runner for the Bulldogs.
    — Fisher Isbell, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The facility has family rooms and conference rooms as well as a kitchen that can serve smoothies, custom meals and assorted snacks.
    — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of conference
Noun
  • For the 18-month moratorium, Webb is listed as the sponsor, according to board meeting materials.
    — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Some deepfakes can even be used in Teams and Zoom meetings, Whyte said.
    — Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of meeting
Noun
  • Despite receiving three Tony Awards and its performance at the ceremony attracting the third-most YouTube views of any show, the show had been shedding audiences after Tony Awards, filling only 85 percent of its theater during the last week of June.
    — Marc Hershberg, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Alys doesn’t know this year and neither does Aemond, but the audience finds out by the end of the episode that Sunfyre is still alive and reunited with Aegon.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of audience

Browse Nearby Words

congregating
congregation
congregations
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Congregation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congregation. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on congregation

Nglish: Translation of congregation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about congregation

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