defrock
verb
de·frock
(ˌ)dē-ˈfräk 
defrocked; defrocking; defrocks
1
: to deprive of the right to exercise the functions of office
a defrocked priest
2
: to remove from a position of honor or privilege
Examples of defrock in a Sentence
the movie's director was defrocked for going way over budget
Recent Examples on the Web
He was removed from public ministry in 2003 and defrocked in 2020, but does not appear to have been charged in any criminal cases, the report said.
—
Laura Schulte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Robert Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times, Journal Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2024
Baker remained in the ministry until 2000, when he was defrocked, church records show.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024
In 2010, the Associated Press reported on Oakland pastor Stephen Kiesle, who was convicted of molesting children, and asked to be defrocked by the church in 1981.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2023
David Kerr, a spokesman for the Diocese of Lansing, said now that DeLorenzo has pleaded guilty he will be formally defrocked.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 27 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for defrock
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.
Laura Schulte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Robert Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times, Journal Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2024
Baker remained in the ministry until 2000, when he was defrocked, church records show.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024
In 2010, the Associated Press reported on Oakland pastor Stephen Kiesle, who was convicted of molesting children, and asked to be defrocked by the church in 1981.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2023
David Kerr, a spokesman for the Diocese of Lansing, said now that DeLorenzo has pleaded guilty he will be formally defrocked.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 27 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for defrock
Cite this Entry
“Defrock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defrock. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share