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
Most recently, lawyers for the journalists, clergy and protesters filed notice that Bovino violated her orders in tear-gassing protesters in a raid on a Chicago Mexican neighborhood.
—
Michael Loria, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Pastor Thomas points out that many clergy do often talk about their vigil experience with their own churches and houses of worship.
—Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
In addition to parents and children from the community, the event — which was centered on experiencing loss — was attended by multiple clergy members and school administrators.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2025
Last week, a video surfaced of an ICE officer who shot a member of the clergy with a pepper ball who had been outside a processing facility just outside Chicago.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clergy
Michael Loria, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Pastor Thomas points out that many clergy do often talk about their vigil experience with their own churches and houses of worship.
—Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
In addition to parents and children from the community, the event — which was centered on experiencing loss — was attended by multiple clergy members and school administrators.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2025
Last week, a video surfaced of an ICE officer who shot a member of the clergy with a pepper ball who had been outside a processing facility just outside Chicago.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clergy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clergy
Noun
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Passengers attended a California church camp The fire department said the bus was returning to Orange County after passengers attended a church camp in the San Bernardino Mountains near Angelus Oaks, a small community surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
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After Pope Francis died on April 21, Benitez was inspired by Father James Martin’s appearance on GMA, who talked about the church leader’s more progressive views.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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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.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
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The selection of Bishop McElroy, whose diocese has never been led by a cardinal, sends a message about the pope’s wish for a more liberal orientation for the U.S. episcopate.—
Francis X. Rocca,
WSJ,
29 May 2022
Cite this Entry
“Clergy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clergy. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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