apostolic

adjective

Definition of apostolicnext
as in episcopal

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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 apostolic Pope Leo at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa on Monday, the second day of his apostolic visit to Lebanon. — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 3 Dec. 2025 All those present in the audience in the Vatican’s apostolic palace met Leo personally at the end, with Lee presenting the first American pope with a New York Knicks jersey. — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025 Until then, Vigneron will serve as apostolic administrator for the Detroit archdiocese. — Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 11 Feb. 2025 If that’s the case, then the plausibility of traditional Christianity collapses, for its authority is based on the claim to have preserved intact the apostolic witness, the most reliable source of revelation. — R. R. Reno, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2018 See All Example Sentences for apostolic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apostolic
  1. episcopal
  2. papal
  3. evangelical
  4. clerical
  5. ministerial
  6. pastoral
  7. sacerdotal
  8. pontifical
Adjective
  • After returning to the United States, Novakovic attended an Episcopal boarding school in San Antonio, Texas.
    — byRachel Cole, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 May 2026
  • On New Year’s Eve in 1996, Christou followed Deadbeat with a club at a former Episcopal church that was built in 1865.
    — Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 26 Feb. 2026
Definition of episcopal
Adjective
  • Luis Antonio Tagle, 69, a Filipino cardinal, was appointed by Pope Leo XIV as the new dean of the College of Cardinals, elevating his profile as a papal contender in the process.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Simply put, the evolution of the rose followed the evolution of papal power itself.
    — Joëlle Rollo-Koster, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of papal
Adjective
  • In his 20s, Gortner became disillusioned with the evangelical movement and became an aspiring actor in New York.
    — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The accusation tapped into Catholics’ fears over losing ground to evangelicals and could weaken the presidential bid of Bolsonaro, who is evangelical.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of evangelical
Adjective
  • Permanent conflict will only further elevate Iranians in uniform over Iranians in suits—and perhaps even over Iranians in clerical garb.
    — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Men in clerical jobs were paid $5,000 a year more than women.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of clerical
Adjective
  • France’s prime minister called an inter-ministerial crisis meeting for early afternoon to address the protests.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • While Brazil and Saudi Arabia engaged via ministerial levels through Foreign Ministers Mauro Vieira and Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the scope of the forum expanded dramatically during the partner and outreach dialogues.
    — Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of ministerial
Adjective
  • These new or renovated getaways offer opportunities to bask in the season’s pastoral and cultural delights in comfort.
    — Stephanie Rosenbloom, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • In that, the vinyl panel turns the 18th-century style on its head, becoming a subversive counterweight to its typically placid, pastoral energy.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of pastoral
Adjective
  • Prosperity is lauded dozens of times in the Book of Mormon, so knocking for commissions can feel almost sacerdotal.
    — Tad Friend, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2022
  • Diminution drains this office of the sacerdotal pomposities that have encrusted it.
    — Conor Friedersdorf, The Atlantic, 1 Aug. 2017
Definition of sacerdotal
Adjective
  • In another decree published Monday, Leo canceled Francis’ plans to move some of the Vatican’s secret archives and library holdings out of the city state and onto the grounds of a pontifical university across town.
    — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Leo opened his visit to Pompeii by meeting with sick and disabled people who are cared for by a charity center affiliated with the sanctuary, which Leo’s namesake, Pope Leo XIII, declared a pontifical basilica in 1901.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Definition of pontifical

Browse Nearby Words

apostles
apostolic
apothecaries
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Cite this Entry

“Apostolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apostolic. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about apostolic

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