clericalism
noun
cler·i·cal·ism
ˈkler-i-kə-ˌli-zəm 
ˈkle-ri-
: a policy of maintaining or increasing the power of a religious hierarchy
Examples of clericalism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Decameron was the most infamous for its overt satirical commentary on clericalism within Italy that existed during the Middle Ages.
—
Rendy Jones, EW.com, 27 July 2024
For one thing, the party, which was founded in 1956 by a former Nazi functionary and SS officer to represent the pan-Germanists and national liberals, was formed to oppose SPO socialism and the OVP’s catholic clericalism.
—Franz-Stefan Gady, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2017
Three decades later, the church has become a prominent presence throughout the entire military, but the nuclear branch stands out as the most imbued with clericalism.
—Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019
Yet while many commentators have focused on clericalism in the U.S., our country is arguably the least susceptible to it, given the spirit of independent action of everyday Catholics.
—Tim Busch, National Review, 23 Dec. 2023
Through the process of consultation and conversation, Francis intends to combat clericalism in the Catholic Church by offering a different model for how the church can work.
—Daniel Speed Thompson, The Conversation, 4 Oct. 2023
Once again clericalism triumphed.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Nov. 2020
Voltaire failed to understand the plight of provincial Catholics; Weinberger would doubtless take him to task for a gentlemanly anti-clericalism.
—Russell Jacoby, Harper’s Magazine , 16 Feb. 2023
Along the way, the office sorted labor into novel categories: pedantic clericalism, bureaucratic management, executive power.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 6 July 2022
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Rendy Jones, EW.com, 27 July 2024
For one thing, the party, which was founded in 1956 by a former Nazi functionary and SS officer to represent the pan-Germanists and national liberals, was formed to oppose SPO socialism and the OVP’s catholic clericalism.
—Franz-Stefan Gady, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2017
Three decades later, the church has become a prominent presence throughout the entire military, but the nuclear branch stands out as the most imbued with clericalism.
—Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019
Yet while many commentators have focused on clericalism in the U.S., our country is arguably the least susceptible to it, given the spirit of independent action of everyday Catholics.
—Tim Busch, National Review, 23 Dec. 2023
Through the process of consultation and conversation, Francis intends to combat clericalism in the Catholic Church by offering a different model for how the church can work.
—Daniel Speed Thompson, The Conversation, 4 Oct. 2023
Once again clericalism triumphed.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Nov. 2020
Voltaire failed to understand the plight of provincial Catholics; Weinberger would doubtless take him to task for a gentlemanly anti-clericalism.
—Russell Jacoby, Harper’s Magazine , 16 Feb. 2023
Along the way, the office sorted labor into novel categories: pedantic clericalism, bureaucratic management, executive power.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 6 July 2022
Cite this Entry
“Clericalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clericalism. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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