Definition of worldlynext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word worldly distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words earthly and mundane are common synonyms of worldly. While all three words mean "belonging to or characteristic of the earth," 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

When could earthly be used to replace worldly?

Although the words earthly and worldly have much in common, earthly often implies a contrast with what is heavenly or spiritual.

abandoned earthly concerns and entered a convent

In what contexts can mundane take the place of worldly?

While in some cases nearly identical to worldly, mundane suggests reference to the immediate and practical.

a mundane discussion of finances

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 worldly Countless culinary experiences that showcase both local and worldly flavors. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026 Just as the worldly novel tends to do, most of us dodge and deny this fundamental experiment, since the revelation would seem to rob life of the jewel of meaning. James Wood, New Yorker, 4 May 2026 At 59, Romans is worldly, well-spoken and well-educated. Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 2 May 2026 There’s no perfect yardstick of worldly business heft. Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for worldly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worldly
Adjective
  • This cool, cosmopolitan hotel is within walking distance of Bend’s best restaurants, shops, and the Deschutes River, and was named one of the best in the country by Tripadvisor users in 2025.
    Sierra Vandervort, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2026
  • After the Danish‑Caribbean imprint of the Virgin Islands, San Juan introduces a wider, more cosmopolitan rhythm with Spanish colonial architecture, Afro‑Caribbean culture and the hum of a bustling Latin American city.
    David Dickstein, Oc Register, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • Now, new research may rewrite the definition of these planets that make the solar system look a little bit mundane.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 1 July 2026
  • However, Mamdani wasted no time putting his stamp on the relatively small Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), which is tasked with comparatively mundane administrative duties of issuing shooting permits to film and TV productions.
    Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Options trading for SpaceX started last week, allowing investors to place more sophisticated bets on where the stock is headed next, and quickly saw a surge in interest.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • The crisp white denim is a sophisticated choice for July 4, as well as the rest of summer.
    Mia McManus, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Though editor Yorgos Mavropsaridis (a Yorgos Lanthimos regular) cuts the film with brisk concision, there’s also a welcome temporal elasticity here — the sense that life can change in the blink of an eye, but also stall for undefined passages.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 June 2026
  • The researchers fed this millennium-long data into a computer model to determine how much stress has built up along the faults in that temporal window.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • The terrestrial fueling hardware designed for the Artemis program’s Space Launch System rockets simply cannot function in an orbital environment.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026
  • The remaining planetesimals that did not form into the terrestrial planets are the asteroids of today, left to orbit the inner portion of the solar system.
    Adam Lark, Scientific American, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • Balogun crashed into Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemović, landing his foot on top of Muharemović’s during the physical match.
    Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • Hawaiian Tropic’s zinc oxide formula, a physical UV blocker, brushes on with a matte, translucent finish and leaves no white cast on most skin tones.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 1, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • People at the most senior levels of the government have no earthly idea what's being discussed inside the White House, inside the Oval Office and the Situation Room.
    Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 23 June 2026
  • The new season will get around to that question, though the alien and earthly plot lines are kept on separate tracks.
    Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Worldly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worldly. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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