PRIESTHOOD Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

priesthood

noun

ˈprēst-ˌhu̇d

Definition of priesthood

as in aristocracy

individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class a gathering of Mafia dons that was in effect a convocation of the nation's priesthood of organized crime

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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 priesthood Historic meeting follows king’s visit George Gross, an expert on theology and the monarchy at King’s College London, said Monday’s meeting was historic, particularly given the Vatican doesn’t recognize the female priesthood. — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2026 Listen to the full episode to hear Misti get into the real solutions being researched right now, including ritualistic atomic priesthood, songs, and stories. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2026 Apostles are all men in accordance with the church's all-male priesthood. — CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025 Apostles are all men in accordance with the church’s all-male priesthood. — Hannah Schoenbaum, Fortune, 27 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for priesthood

Recent Examples of Synonyms for priesthood

Noun

Advertisement The revolution still to come At the heart of the French Revolution of 1789 was the abolition of the privileges of the aristocracy and clergy.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Of course, one entertainer who isn’t in that category would seem to be a natural fit for Arrowhead — the one who has married into Kansas City’s aristocracy.

— Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of aristocracy

Noun

Reynolds transformed a young Pacific Islander into a monumental figure of European portraiture, giving Mai the grandeur and authority normally reserved for the elite.

— Saar Shahar, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026
Their mobilization since then has mirrored a wider wave of youth protests in other countries, particularly in South Asia, where Gen Z demonstrators have challenged political elites.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of elite

Noun

The first meeting was in November of last year at the White House, when Mamdani was mayor elect, and the second was in February, also at the White House.

— Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
The governor-elect faced a fight over removing Nick Balletto, who had initially been dismissive of Lamont as a candidate, as the Democratic state chair.

— Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of elect

Noun

Such acts undermine Israel's security, its regional and international standing, and the moral fabric of our society.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
By the 1980s, England was beginning its turn away from churchgoing as a cornerstone of society, so nothing as extroverted or nakedly clerical as gospel choirs would fit a downcast, monochromatic land anyhow.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of society

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priestesses

priesthood

priesthoods

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

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Synonyms of priesthood

noun

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