as in church
the group ordained to perform clerical functions in the Christian church
when people find out she's a member of the clergy, they suddenly change their manner
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Recent Examples of clergy
The laws have been challenged by families representing a variety of religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and clergy, in addition to nonreligious families.
—
Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
The laws have been challenged by families representing a variety of religions, including Christianity, Judaism and Hinduism, and clergy, in addition to nonreligious families.
—CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026
The people who have been leading the fight are the clergy, and even the Pope has spoken out.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 21 Feb. 2026
The laws have been challenged by families representing a variety of religions, including Christianity, Judaism and Hinduism, and clergy, in addition to nonreligious families.
—ABC News, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clergy
Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
The laws have been challenged by families representing a variety of religions, including Christianity, Judaism and Hinduism, and clergy, in addition to nonreligious families.
—CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026
The people who have been leading the fight are the clergy, and even the Pope has spoken out.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 21 Feb. 2026
The laws have been challenged by families representing a variety of religions, including Christianity, Judaism and Hinduism, and clergy, in addition to nonreligious families.
—ABC News, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clergy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clergy
Noun
-
The silence of the lake—save for the gentle peal of church bells on Sunday mornings and the plop of ducks plunging beneath the water surface—is a rare and unforgettable pleasure.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Mar. 2026
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Much like McKenna, Kuntz volunteers with her church, specifically teaching CCD classes for children with disabilities.—
Patrick Damp,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The diaconate represents the Church’s third degree of holy orders, below the presbyterate, or priests, and episcopate, or bishops.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
5 Dec. 2025
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Vatican observers have long speculated that Francis saw Prevost as a potential successor, especially given his rapid rise and central role in shaping the modern episcopate.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clergy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clergy. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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