as in priest
a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church
clerics were sharply divided on the issue of whether the war was morally justified
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Recent Examples of cleric
The audiotape of the cleric’s offense turned out to be fake.
—
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 14 May 2025
In North America, rising costs may be dealing with the age of clerics, but in other parts of the world, the Church is eyeing churches and schools in areas that don't already have that infrastructure in place.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Some Cardinals Watched Conclave for Pointers Before Beginning Voting Process, Says Cleric
5 hr 18 min ago
According to Politico, a cleric involved in the conclave said some cardinals watched the Oscar-winning Conclave for pointers before beginning the voting process.
—Maria Pasquini, People.com, 7 May 2025
Because of the unique position of the pope, a cleric with his own tiny state and significant global influence, the book is also a chronicle of contemporary international affairs.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleric
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 14 May 2025
In North America, rising costs may be dealing with the age of clerics, but in other parts of the world, the Church is eyeing churches and schools in areas that don't already have that infrastructure in place.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Some Cardinals Watched Conclave for Pointers Before Beginning Voting Process, Says Cleric
5 hr 18 min ago
According to Politico, a cleric involved in the conclave said some cardinals watched the Oscar-winning Conclave for pointers before beginning the voting process.
—Maria Pasquini, People.com, 7 May 2025
Because of the unique position of the pope, a cleric with his own tiny state and significant global influence, the book is also a chronicle of contemporary international affairs.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleric
Noun
-
The ovation when the priest said the prayer and said ‘God bless our Pacers’ was great.—
Michael Marot,
Chicago Tribune,
26 May 2025
-
When the Church sanctions the exorcism of Emma Schmidt, two priests divided by doubt must confront a force beyond comprehension...and their own faith.—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
Buskirk — his dad and great grandfather were preachers — shortly after accepting the football job felt the calling to explore ministry work.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
31 May 2025
-
My dad was a Methodist preacher from a long line of them.—
John Archibald,
Southern Living,
25 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cleric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleric. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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