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
And for many activists, including the clergy who poured into Minneapolis, religious values are central to their willingness to stand up for citizens targeted by ICE.
—
David W. Stowe, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2026
The rabbi, the only Jewish clergy ever tapped for the honor, also blessed the rodeo in 2015.
—Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
Nine plaintiffs, including Haitians with TPS, a labor union and an association of Haitian Protestant clergy have filed one of several suits on the administration’s decision to terminate Haiti’s TPS designation.
—Jacqueline Charles, Sun Sentinel, 2 Feb. 2026
After the clergy offered praise and comfort to a group mourning Alex Pretti’s death, a Merrillville man pulled the scarf from his face and jacket hood from his head in the oppressive cold and took the microphone.
—Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clergy
David W. Stowe, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2026
The rabbi, the only Jewish clergy ever tapped for the honor, also blessed the rodeo in 2015.
—Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
Nine plaintiffs, including Haitians with TPS, a labor union and an association of Haitian Protestant clergy have filed one of several suits on the administration’s decision to terminate Haiti’s TPS designation.
—Jacqueline Charles, Sun Sentinel, 2 Feb. 2026
After the clergy offered praise and comfort to a group mourning Alex Pretti’s death, a Merrillville man pulled the scarf from his face and jacket hood from his head in the oppressive cold and took the microphone.
—Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clergy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clergy
Noun
-
The 84-year-old—the mother of the Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie—has been missing since February 1, when her failure to attend church services triggered a wide-ranging and, as the days have worn on, ever more desperate search.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
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Sather encouraged attendees to dress for the weather, as the church plans to lead a candlelit walk through the New Hope neighborhood after honoring the victims of ICE.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The diaconate represents the Church’s third degree of holy orders, below the presbyterate, or priests, and episcopate, or bishops.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
5 Dec. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Clergy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clergy. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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