Pope Francis has opened a synod that, this time, includes lay people and women.
Source: tatoeba (12717369)
Synod
/ˈsɪn.əd/
Synonyms for "synod" (113 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (23)
advisory bodyarchbishopricarchdioceseassembleeassemblyassignationassociationat homeballbenchbishopricboardbody of advisersborough councilbrain trustbrawlbritish cabinetcabinetcamarillacaucus
Noun(1 words)
Strong matches (34)
Noun(3 words)
city councilclassiscolloquiumcommissioncommitteecommon councilconciliarismconclaveconcourseconferencecongregationcongressconsistoryconsultative assemblyconventicleconventionconvocationcouncilcouncil firecouncil of ministers
Related words (56)
diocesedirectorydivanecclesiastical councilecumenical councileisteddfodfestivityfeteforgatheringforumgatheringget togetherget-togetherhousewarmingjuntakitchen cabinetlateran councillegislatureleveemeet
Show 35 more words
Noun(1 words)
ecclesiastical governing body
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: advisory body, archbishopric, archdiocese, assemblee, assembly.
- Sentence evidence is available for synod, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, opengloss, derived_reverse.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "synod".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "synod"
Keep "synod" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "synod" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "synod", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "synod" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
3 entriesMore specific
4 entriesdiocesan synodgeneral synodnational synodregional synod
Collocations
5 entriesdiocesan synodecclesiastical synodgeneral synodregional synodsynod session
Inflections
1 entriesDerivations
4 entriesSample sentences
7 total sentences available.
A synod is a meeting of bishops, who make up the Church's leadership around the world.
Source: tatoeba (12717375)
As a young priest, Father Thomas attended his first synod.
Source: tatoeba (13176190)
Addressing a number of previously taboo topics, this synod could result in several liberalizing reforms, though there is no guarantee that it will produce anything at all.
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 7 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "synod"?
Closest matches include advisory body, archbishopric, archdiocese, assemblee, assembly.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "synod"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.