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
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Recent Examples of clergy
Of the 255 residential properties currently managed by the Royal Household, 145 are rented to current and retired staff, 21 to military, knights, and clergy members, and 7 to working royals.
—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
But other, more conservative Protestant groups do not ordain women as clergy.
—
Peter Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
They were led by clergy, they were led by business leaders, they were led by civic organizers, they were led by young people.
—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
But other, more conservative Protestant groups do not ordain women as clergy.
—
ABC News,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for clergy
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
But other, more conservative Protestant groups do not ordain women as clergy.
—
Peter Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
They were led by clergy, they were led by business leaders, they were led by civic organizers, they were led by young people.
—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
But other, more conservative Protestant groups do not ordain women as clergy.
—
ABC News,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for clergy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clergy
Noun
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Currently, the church has a GoFundMe, which has raised around $9,200 so far of its $2 million goal.
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No single official church establishment stretched across the 13 Colonies that would eventually join in the American Revolution.
Noun
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The diaconate represents the Church’s third degree of holy orders, below the presbyterate, or priests, and episcopate, or bishops.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Clergy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clergy. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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