EARTHLY Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'earthly' distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words mundane and worldly are common synonyms of earthly . While all three words mean "belonging to or characteristic of the earth," earthly often implies a contrast with what is heavenly or spiritual. // abandoned earthly concerns and entered a convent

Q: When is 'mundane' a more appropriate choice than 'earthly'?

In some situations, the words mundane and earthly are roughly equivalent. However, mundane suggests reference to the immediate and practical. // a mundane discussion of finances

Q: How are the words 'worldly' and 'mundane' related as synonyms of 'earthly'?

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

earthly

adjective

ˈərth-lē

Definition of earthly

as in temporal

having to do with life on earth especially as opposed to that in heaven a sermon against our obsession with earthly pursuits

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How is the word earthly distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words mundane and worldly are common synonyms of earthly. While all three words mean "belonging to or characteristic of the earth," earthly often implies a contrast with what is heavenly or spiritual.

abandoned earthly concerns and entered a convent

When is mundane a more appropriate choice than earthly?

In some situations, the words mundane and earthly are roughly equivalent. However, mundane suggests reference to the immediate and practical.

a mundane discussion of finances

How are the words worldly and mundane related as synonyms of earthly?

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

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 earthly Shades of forest greens, browns, and other earthly delights followed suit. — Madeline Fass, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026 Andor creator Tony Gilroy returns from the galaxy far, far away to take on more earthly matters. — A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026 The eagerly anticipated new Los Angeles museum will welcome earthly visitors on September 22. — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Instead, Farage's main opponent is Count Binface, a political satirist posing as a comic space alien, with a keen interest in earthly matters, including the positioning of a hand dryer in the men's toilet in a pub in west London. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for earthly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for earthly

Adjective

The team tested whether the hardware could distinguish temporal patterns using four consecutive input signals that could each be switched on or off.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
Curiously, cobalt was linked with a small rise in amyloid-beta proteins in the inferior temporal cortex.

— Mike McRae August 31, New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of temporal

Adjective

While biomimicking a marine animal may seem like an obvious route for innovative design with underwater vehicles and buildings, the team’s approach also applies to terrestrial buildings.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026
This reduced atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and turned soil into the first terrestrial carbon sinks.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrestrial

Adjective

Read Full Review Designed to tie in the five elements and the five senses, this Greek idyll is built into a mountain and has a large spherical pool as its physical and spiritual center.

— CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
There is humiliation here, claustrophobia, physical vulnerability and an intimacy that occasionally brushes against the erotic.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of physical

Adjective

Vegetable Oils Vegetable and seed oils are some of the richest non-animal dietary sources of CoQ10.

— Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 16 July 2026
Computer models and other non-animal testing methods still aren’t the best available science, critics contend.

— Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026

Definition of animal

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earthlike

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

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Synonyms of earthly

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