Friaries are religious houses or communities of friars. Synonyms for friaries include monasteries, convents, abbeys, and cloisters. These are all places where monks and nuns live, work, and pray. Monasteries and abbeys may also refer to larger religious communities, while convents and cloisters typically refer to those for nuns. Other synonyms for friaries include ashrams, brotherhoods, monastic communities, and religious orders. These terms emphasize the communal nature of such places and the shared spiritual values that unite those who live there. Despite the different names, all these synonyms point to the same core idea: a guided life of religious contemplation and service.