The word "ecclesiastic" refers to something or someone that is connected to the church or its officials. When we need to communicate the same idea of "ecclesiastic" but in a more refined manner, we can use synonyms like "clerical," "priestly," or "pontifical." These terms convey the idea of being religiously affiliated or connected to religious authority, but with varying levels of formality. Other related synonyms include "canonical," "hierarchical," and "papal" - all of which describe various levels and aspects of church structures and leadership. Using these synonyms can add nuance and variety to our communication when discussing religious institutions and their members.