Definition of clerisynext
as in intelligentsia
intellectuals considered as a social class a society lacking a well-established clerisy with a strong commitment to democratic ideals

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of clerisy They are ruled by a grizzled and sclerotic clerisy that funnels resources to its private army, the terrorist Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Matthew Continetti, National Review, 24 Sep. 2022 Democrats and the public-health clerisy denounced President Trump for rushing Covid vaccines. Allysia Finley, WSJ, 4 Sep. 2022 Only those the board licenses are admitted to the clerisy uniquely entitled to publicly discuss engineering. George Will, Twin Cities, 13 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clerisy
Noun
  • For now, these ideas mostly live in the political intelligentsia and online far-right hubs.
    Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 25 Nov. 2025
  • Revolutionary groups, often recruited from universities and the intelligentsia, were soon carrying out terrorist attacks in the cities.
    Karl Ove Knausgaard, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • For 35 years Brazilian political elites have viewed nuclear armament as both unnecessary and counterproductive, given Brazil’s peaceful foreign policy, emphasis on multilateralism, and the Tlatelolco Treaty making Latin America a nuclear-weapons-free zone.
    Oliver Stuenkel, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The elite-to-college gymnastics transition is easier said than done.
    Benjamin Royer, Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Clerisy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clerisy. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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