as in to depose
to remove from a position of prominence or power (as a throne)
the movie's director was defrocked for going way over budget
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Recent Examples of defrock
He was removed from public ministry in 2003 and defrocked in 2020, but does not appear to have been charged in any criminal cases, the report said.
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Laura Schulte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Robert Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times,
Journal Sentinel,
12 Dec. 2024
Baker remained in the ministry until 2000, when he was defrocked, church records show.
—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Oct. 2024
David Kerr, a spokesman for the Diocese of Lansing, said now that DeLorenzo has pleaded guilty he will be formally defrocked.
—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC News,
27 Apr. 2023
One exception is former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was defrocked in 2019 after abuse allegations surfaced.
—
Fredrick Kunkle,
Washington Post,
5 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for defrock
Laura Schulte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Robert Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times,
Journal Sentinel,
12 Dec. 2024
Baker remained in the ministry until 2000, when he was defrocked, church records show.
—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Oct. 2024
David Kerr, a spokesman for the Diocese of Lansing, said now that DeLorenzo has pleaded guilty he will be formally defrocked.
—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC News,
27 Apr. 2023
One exception is former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was defrocked in 2019 after abuse allegations surfaced.
—
Fredrick Kunkle,
Washington Post,
5 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for defrock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defrock
Verb
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The earthquakes pose a great challenge to Rodriguez, the former vice president whose governing coalition took shape after the United States mounted an operation that captured and deposed President Nicolás Maduro.
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Pitt sought to depose Stoli executive Alexey Oliynik in June 2025; Jolie's lawyers say Oliynik has refused to turn over documents or appear for a deposition, claiming he cannot be compelled as a Swiss resident.
Verb
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The junta then sacked hundreds of French forces sent to fight extremist groups.
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Bellamy, 46, is poised to take his first full-time job in club management, replacing Scott Parker who was sacked in April following Burnley’s relegation from the Premier League.
Cite this Entry
“Defrock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defrock. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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