as in priest
a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church
a clergyperson of your choice would be the best one to advise on this spiritual matter
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Recent Examples of clergyperson
What makes the family tradition sustainable in central Massachusetts, where the Vallelis now live, is a pastor-sharing arrangement between two congregations that couldn’t afford a full-time clergyperson on their own.
—
G. Jeffrey MacDonald, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2020
G. Jeffrey MacDonald, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clergyperson
Noun
-
In January, 31 priests submitted a dubia — or formal request for clarification — to the Vatican.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Marcos’s commanders, confronted with throngs of nuns, priests and ordinary civilians pleading, weeping and kneeling in prayer, refused orders to open fire and clear the streets, and Marcos subsequently fled to exile in Hawaii.—
Keith B. Richburg,
Washington Post,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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His large band, squeezed onto a stage scarcely longer than two kayaks laid end to end, is composed almost entirely of Haitian preachers’ kids raised in the country’s gospel tradition.—
Emma Madden,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
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This Oscar-winning documentary follows the fascinating life of Marjoe Gortner, a former child preacher who returned to the practice as a young adult solely for financial purposes.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Tutu, the new documentary from Sam Pollard (MLK/FBI, 4 Little Girls), is a behind-the-scenes look at the life of the smiling, joyous rebel clergyman who helped end Apartheid.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
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The clergyman connected Webster with another church member who was a criminal-defense lawyer.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Gibson also fought for the rights of Black people alongside her husband, late pastor and activist Theodore Gibson, a pioneer of desegregation who led the effort to integrate then-Dade County Public Schools.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
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Despite a pending green card application, the Anglican pastor did not attend church for weeks after friends advised him to avoid going outside.—
Gisela Salomon,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clergyperson.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clergyperson. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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