as in prioress
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Recent Examples of abbess
When the abbess died in 866, she was buried in the abbey church.
—
Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024
Groff imagined the poet Marie de France as a teenager forced to venture into the dark woods to serve as the abbess.
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2023
It’s been nearly 14 centuries since the monastery founded by St. Hild of Whitby, a prominent abbess in 7th century Anglo-Saxon England, hosted the Northumbrian kingdom’s assembly to discuss the date on which its Christian church would celebrate Easter.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2023
One of them was the abbess of a female religious community in Kent from around 733 to 761 CE, which is consistent with the dating of MS Selden Supra 30.
—Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for abbess
Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024
Groff imagined the poet Marie de France as a teenager forced to venture into the dark woods to serve as the abbess.
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2023
It’s been nearly 14 centuries since the monastery founded by St. Hild of Whitby, a prominent abbess in 7th century Anglo-Saxon England, hosted the Northumbrian kingdom’s assembly to discuss the date on which its Christian church would celebrate Easter.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2023
One of them was the abbess of a female religious community in Kent from around 733 to 761 CE, which is consistent with the dating of MS Selden Supra 30.
—Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for abbess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abbess
Noun
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Matrix by Lauren Groff Currents of violence and devotion coalesce around Marie de France, a 17-year-old sent to be the new prioress of a 12th-century English abbey.—
Mia Barzilay Freund,
Vogue,
7 July 2025
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In response, the diocese said in a statement that the Holy See has acted toward healing the Arlington Carmel and the nuns in the community and not simply the former prioress and her former councilors.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Apr. 2024
Noun
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The nun wearing sunglasses adds a bit of humanity and mystery to this shot.—
TIME Photo Department,
Time,
23 Dec. 2025
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One of the film’s most memorable moments occurs when Goldberg’s character, a Vegas singer disguised as a nun, encourages a shy high school student to sing the powerful song in front of an audience for the first time.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
22 Dec. 2025
Noun
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In the medieval church, women’s roles were limited – usually some form of enclosure and celibacy, such as becoming an anchoress walled up alone for life, or a nun in a classic convent.—
Joelle Rollo-Koster,
The Conversation,
25 Feb. 2025
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Louise, a former anchoress, is her humble, tyrannical maid.—
Hervé Guibert,
Harper's Magazine,
2 Nov. 2024
Noun
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For seasoned cooks and kitchen novices, cookbook author and nutritionist Robin Miller takes it back to basics with great, family-friendly recipes worth making over and over again.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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Both novices and longboarders hold high regard for this surfing mecca on account of its enticing long breakers, which provide hours of great wave riding.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Now on its 67th day and passing through metro Atlanta, the group's schedule included reflections from a metro Atlanta monk originally part of the journey.—
Nakell Williams,
CBS News,
31 Dec. 2025
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He had been dressed as a monk for Halloween weekend, with a hooded robe, but Rachel Kelly said he was found shirtless in his sweatpants.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In it, Swift evokes the titular Trojan priestess, who was tragically given the gift of prophecy and yet no one believes her.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Jan. 2026
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The story begins in 1915 with the death of Julia Brown, who was a voodoo priestess in her town of Finner, which no longer exists today.—
Emilee Coblentz,
Outside,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As a young religious, Bishop-elect Lombardo did missionary work in Bolivia and Honduras.—
Laura Rodríguez Presa,
chicagotribune.com,
11 Sep. 2020
Noun
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The abbot later said the temple would cover her medical expenses, according to Pairat.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
25 Nov. 2025
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The abbot said the temple would cover her medical expenses, according to Pairat.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
25 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abbess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abbess. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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