ABBOT Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

abbot

noun

Definition of abbot

as in bishop

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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 abbot Phommasan, a native of Laos and abbot at a Buddhist temple in Snellville, was recently fitted with a prosthetic leg at Mercer University. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Mar. 2026 The nearby Wasserturm predates it by at least 100 years, having been built some time after 1262, likely under Berthold von Steinbrunn, abbot of Murbach, who had become ruler of the region and is believed to have undertaken the challenging project to awe his subjects and assert his power. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Mar. 2026 The Rooms The 49 guest rooms and suites (six categories in all) are spread across the historic château and its former outbuildings, each named after former abbots or Burgundian figures. — Lindsey Tramuta, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2026 Phommasan, abbot of a temple in Snellville, Georgia, rejoined the monks near Washington and entered American University's arena in a wheelchair. — CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abbot

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abbot

Noun

Warren Jeffs then appointed Nephi Jeffs, another brother, as bishop.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026
The former Robert Prevost was bishop of Chiclayo from 2014-2023, when Francis brought him to the Vatican to head the office for bishops.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of bishop

Noun

After Sheen's time in the Archdiocese of New York, he was appointed Bishop of Rochester in 1966 and then was named an archbishop in 1969.

— Aleja Hertzler-McCain, NPR, 23 Sep. 2026
Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, along with two orders of nuns, the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm and the Little Sisters of the Poor, filed a lawsuit last week to block Illinois’ assisted suicide law.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of archbishop

Noun

John Paul, who also came in 1987, was the first and last pope to visit.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026
Before thousands of fans can wear them, collect them, or hand them over to the pope himself, someone has to dream up the various memorabilia given away to fans entering Rate Field on game day.

— Sara Machi, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of pope

Noun

Jean Wactawski-Wende, PhD, dean of the University of Buffalo’s School of Public Health and an epidemiologist who researches what influences women’s health and led the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) steering committee.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 17 Sep. 2026
Political analyst Abraham Kuol Nyuon, dean of the University of Juba graduate college, said the leadership change could further complicate preparations, including voter registration.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of dean

Noun

This would be the case also for an apostate, heretic, schismatic bishop, presbyter, or deacon.

— Fr. Goran Jovicic, National Review, 13 June 2021
Before coming to Birmingham, Webster had served 18 years as executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Sierra Blanca in southern New Mexico.

— Greg Garrison, AL.com, 19 July 2017

Definition of presbyter

Noun

The group was founded in 1970 in Switzerland by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, a French prelate, but five years later was officially suppressed by the Bishop of Fribourg.

— Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
In roughly 33 hours over the course of two days, the diverse group of international prelates elected Prevost on the fourth ballot.

— Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026

Definition of prelate

Noun

The first is the strikingly Gothic diocesan throne, which sits in the cathedral choir and dates from the Victorian era.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
The diocesan website includes a statement from Dallas Bishop Edward Burns connecting the need for social distancing with the story of the Good Samaritan.

— David Tarrant, Dallas News, 6 Apr. 2020

Definition of diocesan

Noun

In 2018, Father Jan Kevin Schmidt, rector of the cathedral, requested that the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments grant the title of minor basilica to the historic church in Cincinnati.

— Jennie Key, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Aug. 2026
Pernkopf was a Nazi functionary who became dean of the medical faculty in 1938 and rector of the university in 1943.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of rector

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“Abbot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abbot. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of abbot

noun

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