1
as in cosmopolitan
having a wide and refined knowledge of the world especially from personal experience
she returned from her year as an exchange student a much more worldly person
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mundane
having to do with life on earth especially as opposed to that in heaven
preoccupied with worldly concerns
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Don’t let your worldly endeavors pull you away from the close-to-home matters at hand.
—
Nina Kahn, StyleCaster, 24 Mar. 2025
Especially when Cadfael’s worldly wisdom and endless curiosity puts him at odds with his stricter brethren, including the authoritarian Prior Robert (Michael Culver) and his deliciously weasely henchman Brother Jerome (Julian Firth).
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
The interior designer blends her experiences in theater and luxury product design in her interiors, which feature lively colors and patterns, worldly influences, artful accents, and striking lighting.
—Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 17 Mar. 2025
My Hallmark movie has reached its inevitable ending — the worldly woman returned to her hometown and fell in love with the Christmas tree farmer (well, retired chemist).
—Christine Murphy, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for worldly
Nina Kahn, StyleCaster, 24 Mar. 2025
Especially when Cadfael’s worldly wisdom and endless curiosity puts him at odds with his stricter brethren, including the authoritarian Prior Robert (Michael Culver) and his deliciously weasely henchman Brother Jerome (Julian Firth).
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
The interior designer blends her experiences in theater and luxury product design in her interiors, which feature lively colors and patterns, worldly influences, artful accents, and striking lighting.
—Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 17 Mar. 2025
My Hallmark movie has reached its inevitable ending — the worldly woman returned to her hometown and fell in love with the Christmas tree farmer (well, retired chemist).
—Christine Murphy, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for worldly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worldly
Adjective
-
For nearly a century now The Pierre has never lost its cosmopolitan luster, and Perrine, now re-incarnated with Chef Garofalo, matches that appeal as a restaurant of convincing posh and good taste.—
John Mariani,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Onward to colorful, cosmopolitan Dallas, through Austin (home of the University of Texas), and finally to San Antonio, where the legend of the Alamo and the Riverwalk attract people from all over the world.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Make mundane work addictive by reframing it as a game with levels and challenges.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
-
What could have gone down as a mundane chapter of March Madness became anything but for Terps fans after Willard picked up his megaphone the day before his team’s game and declared that his boss, athletic director, Damon Evans, was likely SMU-bound.—
Childs Walker,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The sophisticated bouquet features a monochrome rose and carnation mix that any mom would be thrilled to receive.—
Sarah Madaus,
Architectural Digest,
17 Apr. 2025
-
The cooler tones within this taupe shade are sophisticated and elegant when paired with veiny marble details.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
There is a limit, which could be discussed as a temporal one.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
10 Apr. 2025
-
When the master of timing departed our temporal world for a large and silent india-ink panel nine days shy of his 96th birthday, the cartoonist left behind an enormous body of work that still dances on the page.—
Art Spiegelman,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Kelp captures carbon up to 20 times more than terrestrial forests.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
And most terrestrial options offer higher speeds than Starlink.—
Jeremy Bogaisky,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Addressing both the mental and physical parts of grief is critical for healing.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
SELF,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Then Trump proposed sending U.S. citizens convicted of crimes to El Salvador, where prisoners are allegedly held incommunicado and face physical and mental abuse.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This is the most believably lusty delivery by John of lyrics about Taupin’s earthly urges.—
Shana Naomi Krochmal,
Vulture,
4 Apr. 2025
-
But no matter how twisted her perception of the world becomes, her earthly desire to get her daughter back and clear her name grounds her just enough to keep pushing forward.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Worldly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worldly. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share