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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 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
-
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
-
The former shared their hobby with Javanese aristocrats and other elites, and the latter collaborated with local artisans who supplied the materials to serve Indonesian customers.—
H.M.A. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Despite being an oil-producing country experiencing modest economic growth, young people say the benefits have not trickled down beyond the elites.—
Claudio Lavanga,
NBC news,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Hitching is particularly good at connecting you to those living at the margins of society — the kinds of people many of us don’t encounter often through normal channels and the media.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The government estimates that half a million people living in the shadows of Spanish society could be eligible to apply; analysts say the number is likely higher.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Priesthood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/priesthood. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
