as in priest
a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church
clerics were sharply divided on the issue of whether the war was morally justified
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Recent Examples of cleric
Pope Francis was a notable exception, choosing not the name of a former pope but that of St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th century cleric and patron saint of animals and the environment.
—
Christopher Watson, ABC News, 8 May 2025
Here are just a few… Communal singing A hymn written by a dying Anglican cleric in the 1800s might not scream ‘pre-match razzmatazz’, but the pre-kick-off rendition of Abide With Me has become a staple of the build-up to FA Cup finals.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 15 May 2025
The audiotape of the cleric’s offense turned out to be fake.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 14 May 2025
In North America, rising costs may be dealing with the age of clerics, but in other parts of the world, the Church is eyeing churches and schools in areas that don't already have that infrastructure in place.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleric
Christopher Watson, ABC News, 8 May 2025
Here are just a few… Communal singing A hymn written by a dying Anglican cleric in the 1800s might not scream ‘pre-match razzmatazz’, but the pre-kick-off rendition of Abide With Me has become a staple of the build-up to FA Cup finals.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 15 May 2025
The audiotape of the cleric’s offense turned out to be fake.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 14 May 2025
In North America, rising costs may be dealing with the age of clerics, but in other parts of the world, the Church is eyeing churches and schools in areas that don't already have that infrastructure in place.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleric
Noun
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On Friday, May 3, 1337, Anglican priest John Forde began a walk along downtown London’s Cheapside street after vespers (evening prayers) shortly before sunset.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
6 June 2025
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But as the abuse scandal spread globally during Francis’ 12-year pontificate, the commission lost its influence and its crowning recommendation — the creation of a tribunal to judge bishops who covered up for predator priests — went nowhere.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Some of the preachers, like Oral Roberts, were Pentecostal preachers who found their way on television to bring the movement out of tents and into the mainstream world.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2025
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From a 90-year-old man finding the courage to come out to a former Baptist preacher revealing his authentic identity at 53, journalist Charles M. Blow uncovered the touching stories of everyday Americans who are embracing their true selves later in life.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cleric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleric. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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