Synonyms of clergy

clergy

noun

ˈklər-jē 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• church
• episcopate
• priesthood
• spirituality
• ministry
• hierarchy
• cloth
• spiritualty
• first estate
• presbytery
• diaconate
• clerkship
• monkhood

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• laity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of clergy

Officials and clergy promoted July 8 as a Russian answer to Valentine’s Day. — Diana Dukhanova, The Conversation, 6 July 2026

Melinda Moore, a psychology professor at Eastern Kentucky University, noted that most clergy and faith leaders receive little or no training in pastoral care for those who are suicidal or suicide-bereaved. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

The agreement affects around 530 individuals who have filed abuse claims against current or former members of the city's Catholic clergy. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 30 June 2026

The Survivor’s Committee will select a survivor to sit on the Archdiocese Independent Review Board, as past review boards have failed to follow through with an investigation of prior clergy members, Anderson said. — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 29 June 2026