Synonyms for

Monastery

Verb / ˈmɑ:nʌˌsteri: / Another word for monastery — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

a building or group of buildings where monks live and worship

Synonyms & similar words

abbey cloister convent friary hermitage priory temple sanctuary retreat cenobium charterhouse chapter lamasery order ashram kloster monasticism monkery

Synonyms by register

Formal

convent abbey cloister priory

Informal

monk's house monkery

Literary

hermitage ascetic retreat sanctuary

Antonyms

individualism secularism hedonism worldliness atheism epicureanism

Common collocations

  • ancient monastery
  • remote monastery
  • Buddhist monastery
  • Christian monastery
  • monastery garden
  • monastery bells
  • life in a monastery

Word family

noun monastery
adjective monastic

Usage note

A monastery is specifically a place where monks live, whereas a convent is for nuns. While 'monastery' can sometimes be used more broadly for religious communities, this distinction is generally maintained.

Example sentences

  1. The monastery was home to a community of monks.
  2. The monks in the monastery spent their days praying and working.
  3. The monastery had beautiful gardens for visitors to enjoy.
  4. The monastery was founded centuries ago.
  5. The monastery was known for its beautiful architecture.

Quotes

  • A monk in a monastery is better than a fish in the sea.
  • The monastery of books can never be too large for me.
  • A monastery should not be a place where people go to escape the world, but rather a place where they can learn to live in it.

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