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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clergy
California tried in 2019 to propose a bill that would have required clergy to report abuse without that exemption, but the church fought its passage and the legislature eventually put it on hold.
—
Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 8 May 2025
Following Trump’s latest victory, White-Cain became the first female clergy member to pray at a presidential inauguration and now serves as the first female primary spiritual adviser to a U.S. president.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
Ukraine’s foreign ministry in April also accused Russia of religious oppression in occupied territories, where hundreds of churches have been destroyed, and some 67 clergy members killed since the start of the war.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025
Procession — Leo, with cardinals and clergy, walk in procession through the Basilica and into St. Peter's Square.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clergy
Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 8 May 2025
Following Trump’s latest victory, White-Cain became the first female clergy member to pray at a presidential inauguration and now serves as the first female primary spiritual adviser to a U.S. president.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
Ukraine’s foreign ministry in April also accused Russia of religious oppression in occupied territories, where hundreds of churches have been destroyed, and some 67 clergy members killed since the start of the war.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025
Procession — Leo, with cardinals and clergy, walk in procession through the Basilica and into St. Peter's Square.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clergy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clergy
Noun
-
Butler had become an attorney and an official at a prominent Los Angeles church.—
Christopher Goffard,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
-
Sheriff’s officials said a man was stabbed multiple times, and the wounded man staggered into a nearby church.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
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.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
-
Amicable relations had long existed between the Catholic Church in Rome and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, but the Roman episcopate embraced Mussolini’s regime and its aggressive foreign policy in the mid-1930s.—
Ian Campbell,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Feb. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Clergy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clergy. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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