churchly
adjective
church·ly ˈchərch-lē 
1
: of or relating to a church
churchly authority
2
: suitable to or suggestive of a church
a churchly setting
3
: adhering to a church
a churchly community
4
: churchy sense 1
churchliness noun
Synonyms
- ecclesial
- ecclesiastic
- ecclesiastical
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
refused to discuss churchly matters except on Sundays
Recent Examples on the Web That theme, explored with light wit and deep humanity, makes this unabashedly churchly novel strikingly relevant to our conflicted political era. 
Washington Post, 3 May 2022 The singer and rapper’s weary tales arrive with churchly trills, nu-metal groans, quiet-storm beats, and zero concern for coolness. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 14 Dec. 2021 Besides, the current Francis seems revolutionary enough for an era of ecological crisis, humanitarian disaster, and churchly scandal, especially since Wenders has the pope on camera directly sharing his thoughts with the audience. Ty Burr, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2018 Black leather Versace motorcycle jackets sport jeweled crucifixes inspired by Byzantine mosaics, blending edgy coolness with churchly devotion. Rhonda Garelick, The Cut, 10 May 2018 The music was a churchly choir, the lighting diffused, almost baroque. Cathy Horyn, The Cut, 15 Feb. 2018
Washington Post, 3 May 2022 The singer and rapper’s weary tales arrive with churchly trills, nu-metal groans, quiet-storm beats, and zero concern for coolness. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 14 Dec. 2021 Besides, the current Francis seems revolutionary enough for an era of ecological crisis, humanitarian disaster, and churchly scandal, especially since Wenders has the pope on camera directly sharing his thoughts with the audience. Ty Burr, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2018 Black leather Versace motorcycle jackets sport jeweled crucifixes inspired by Byzantine mosaics, blending edgy coolness with churchly devotion. Rhonda Garelick, The Cut, 10 May 2018 The music was a churchly choir, the lighting diffused, almost baroque. Cathy Horyn, The Cut, 15 Feb. 2018 Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
churchly
adjective
as in ecclesiastical
of or relating to a church refused to discuss churchly matters except on Sundays Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- ecclesiastical
- ecclesiastic
- religious
- ecclesial
- papal
- episcopal
- evangelical
- evangelic
- ministerial
- sacramental
- apostolic
- pastoral
- divine
- clerical
- priestly
- holy
- sanctified
- sacerdotal
- consecrated
- pontifical
- patriarchal
- rabbinic
- sacrosanct
- sacred
- canonical
- hallowed
- blest
- rabbinical
- blessed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- secular
- temporal
- lay
- profane
- nonecclesiastical
- nonchurch
- nondenominational
- nonsectarian
- nonclerical