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
While the clergy and staff of North Orange County’s synagogues – Temple Beth Tikvah, Temple Beth Ohr and Chabad of Yorba Linda – prepare for the services ahead, hundreds of local kitchens are abuzz with preparations for the celebratory meal launching the holiday.
—
Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025
The boycott, which was spearheaded by black clergy, began in March.
—Andrew Adam Newman, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
He was further influenced after learning that the FBI often calls on priests, rabbis and other clergy members to counsel victims at mass-casualty events.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
The Madison Diocese concluded an investigation into clergy abuse in 2019, and released the names of seven men.
—Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clergy
Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025
The boycott, which was spearheaded by black clergy, began in March.
—Andrew Adam Newman, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
He was further influenced after learning that the FBI often calls on priests, rabbis and other clergy members to counsel victims at mass-casualty events.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
The Madison Diocese concluded an investigation into clergy abuse in 2019, and released the names of seven men.
—Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clergy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clergy
Noun
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In 2021, Cookie reminded her church friends to watch the Hulu show based on my book Dopesick, only to cringe at the gay storyline and multiple f‑bombs in the first episode.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
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The Vatican said Leo was invited to visit Turkey and Lebanon by both civil and church leaders of both countries.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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The selection of Bishop McElroy, whose diocese has never been led by a cardinal, sends a message about the pope’s wish for a more liberal orientation for the U.S. episcopate.—
Francis X. Rocca,
WSJ,
29 May 2022
Cite this Entry
“Clergy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clergy. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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