Thesaurus results for LAITY

laity

noun

Definition of laity

as in church

the people of a religion who are not priests, ministers, etc. a member of the laity The laity has played an important role in the history of the church.

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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 laity Casting contraception as a Christian concept was a remarkable—perhaps even radical—reformulation, and one to which the laity, as much as clergy and theologians, laid claim. — Literary Hub, 17 Apr. 2026 This United States Conference of Catholic Bishops call for an hour of prayer, which can be offered publicly or privately, went out to every bishop, priest and the laity, according to Rockford Diocese spokesperson Penny Wiegert. — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026 Despite the bishops’ protests, the laity seems to be aligning more with the president than with their shepherds. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 20 Dec. 2025 As during the Protestant Reformation, the theological divide has extended beyond the clergy to the laity and the common faithful in the pew. — Massimo Faggioli, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2018 See All Example Sentences for laity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for laity

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 hotel works with a local Franciscan friar from Ravello, Friar Marcus, to introduce interested guests to the chapel, or whisk them on tours of Ravello, his local parish (and the home of Villas Cimbrone and Rufolo).

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
The parish maintains such admissions would violate church's right to the free exercise of religion.

— Nina Totenberg, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of parish

Noun

The congregation of athletic aficionados keen to connect with their idols and fellow fans is indicative of a wider trend.

— Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026
The seven temples — at a conservative estimate — represent congregations of about 15,000 people, said Jasjit Singh, a Sikh community leader and trustee for the Sacramento City Unified School District.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of congregation

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laities

laity

lake

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“Laity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laity. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of laity

noun

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