CLERGY Synonyms: 14 Similar and Opposite Words

clergy

noun

ˈklər-jē

Definition of clergy

as in church

the group ordained to perform clerical functions in the Christian church when people find out she's a member of the clergy, they suddenly change their manner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

laity

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 clergy No Kings protagonist, including and especially members of the clergy, is a saint, and Michael and Olivia are no exceptions. — Alison Herman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026 The scenes in Paris and Lourdes have visibly inspired Pope Leo and clergy across France. — Chris Livesay, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026 Meanwhile, local Church leaders hope the pope's visit will repair the Church's standing after a crushing 2021 report found that some 330,000 French children had been abused by Catholic clergy and lay leaders over seven decades. — Joshua McElwee, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026 Though Rome was not convinced (Columbus had not, to anyone’s knowledge, performed any miracles), in 1892, Pope Leo XIII did issue a special encyclical calling on all clergy in the Americas and in Europe to hold a special Mass each Columbus Day. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clergy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clergy

Noun

Over the past several decades, however, a growing percentage of people in Latin America, long a Catholic stronghold, have been embracing evangelical churches.

— Johanna Bard Richlin, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026
Authorities said Willeford, who lived near the church, grabbed his own gun and shot and chased the gunman, helping to stop the massacre.

— Holly Yan, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of church

Noun

The diaconate represents the Church’s third degree of holy orders, below the presbyterate, or priests, and episcopate, or bishops.

— Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 5 Dec. 2025
Vatican observers have long speculated that Francis saw Prevost as a potential successor, especially given his rapid rise and central role in shaping the modern episcopate.

— Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025

Definition of episcopate

Browse Nearby Words

clergies

clergy

clergyman

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Clergy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clergy. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of clergy

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on clergy

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes