as in aristocracy
individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class
a gathering of Mafia dons that was in effect a convocation of the nation's priesthood of organized crime
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Recent Examples of priesthood
Ordained to the Catholic priesthood in June, Jimenez was watching as parishioners acted out the Nativity scene during a posada, a Latin American tradition that reenacts Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem in search of shelter.
—
Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025
In a faith where men hold all priesthood authority, reality TV has become an unexpected loophole for female dissent.
—H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Rather than the writer pontificating about how Pfleger needs to retire from active priesthood, how about a better use of his time by advocating the notion that pedophile priests should be retired to jail.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Black men also were banned from ordained priesthood.
—Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for priesthood
Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025
In a faith where men hold all priesthood authority, reality TV has become an unexpected loophole for female dissent.
—H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Rather than the writer pontificating about how Pfleger needs to retire from active priesthood, how about a better use of his time by advocating the notion that pedophile priests should be retired to jail.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Black men also were banned from ordained priesthood.
—Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for priesthood
Recent Examples of Synonyms for priesthood
Noun
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For example, they might be classified by the number of rulers, thus distinguishing government by one (as in a monarchy or a tyranny) from government by the few (in an aristocracy or oligarchy) and from government by the many (as in a democracy).—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Marquess of Hartington and a member of the British aristocracy.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Scholars and religious leaders argue that Congo’s political elite should emulate Kimbangu’s spirit of personal sacrifice for freedom rather than pursuing self-enrichment at the expense of the nation’s sovereignty.—
Rodney Muhumuza,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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But the Tigers need their staff as a whole to be close to elite to make up for some of the offensive holes.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But, a couple of injuries for Blackwood, combined with his own work, has allowed Wedgewood to start 40 games and appear in 42 this season -- easily career-bests at the NHL level.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
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Rice this season produced career bests in points, field-goal accuracy, rebounds and steals.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Leefbaar Rotterdam, Reichman’s political party, has sought to distance itself from the council member-elect.—
Brooke Migdon,
PEOPLE,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Congratulations to the new members-elect.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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One begins to think that the condition is hereditary—that, instead of a Habsburg jaw, the wealthy white denizens of New Orleans high society are saddled with emotional problems.—
Brandy Jensen,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
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The traditional theatrical chains are vital to our cohesion as a society, and are duly cautious [about AI].—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Priesthood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/priesthood. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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