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
Cameras caught a clergy member sprinkling a little holy water on the Acrisure Stadium turf about two hours before kickoff on Sunday.
—
CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
As Pope Francis’s health faltered, the issue figured in the thumbnail biographies of his prospective successors assembled by media outlets from the Times to the traditionalist website CatholicVote, and advocates for survivors of clergy abuse have continued to raise it.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
So far, Rabbinic Fit Check has featured 57 rabbis, clergy members and students from a range of denominations and garnered over 1,300 followers.
—Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
Data must be made actionable — presented in ways that governors, school superintendents, clergy, and families can use to make decisions.
—Deborah L. Birx, STAT, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clergy
CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
As Pope Francis’s health faltered, the issue figured in the thumbnail biographies of his prospective successors assembled by media outlets from the Times to the traditionalist website CatholicVote, and advocates for survivors of clergy abuse have continued to raise it.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
So far, Rabbinic Fit Check has featured 57 rabbis, clergy members and students from a range of denominations and garnered over 1,300 followers.
—Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
Data must be made actionable — presented in ways that governors, school superintendents, clergy, and families can use to make decisions.
—Deborah L. Birx, STAT, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clergy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clergy
Noun
-
Kelly has a reputation as one of the most disruptive regulars stationed outside the church.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The sun won’t rise before seven thirty, Camilla thought, as her gaze drifted bitterly over the nearby rooftops and domed churches in the distance.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 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 28 Jan. 2026.
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