clericalism

noun

cler·i·cal·ism | \ ˈkler-i-kə-ˌli-zəm

How to pronounce clericalism (audio)

, ˈkle-ri-\

Definition of clericalism

: a policy of maintaining or increasing the power of a religious hierarchy

Examples of clericalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Fortuyn carried the torch of the Dutch tradition of anti-clericalism. — chicagotribune.com, "The new Dutch disease is white nationalism," 20 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clericalism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about clericalism

Dictionary Entries near clericalism

clerical collar

Statistics for clericalism

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for clericalism

The first known use of clericalism was in 1864

See more words from the same year

Comments on clericalism

What made you want to look up clericalism? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

demeanor

behavior toward others

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ