as in ministerial
of, relating to, or characteristic of the clergy
clerical duties such as providing spiritual counseling and leading Bible study classes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in priest
a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church
some of the state's most prominent clericals have spoken out against the measure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clerical
Michael Carbonara, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026
Over the course of the episode, Matt remembers a case where he and Foggy were tasked with defending a criminal and discovered a clerical error that would result in him walking free.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Those unions represent school police, school clerical workers and custodial and cafeteria supervisors, among others.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
It was founded by a number of Shi‘ite clerical groups during the Lebanese Civil War, in direct response to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clerical
Adjective
These were not clerical errors.
—Michael Carbonara, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026
Over the course of the episode, Matt remembers a case where he and Foggy were tasked with defending a criminal and discovered a clerical error that would result in him walking free.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Those unions represent school police, school clerical workers and custodial and cafeteria supervisors, among others.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
It was founded by a number of Shi‘ite clerical groups during the Lebanese Civil War, in direct response to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clerical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clerical
Adjective
-
People with de-Baathification rulings against them are not eligible for nomination to ministerial posts, senior government positions and high-level security roles.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
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The National Development and Reform Commission is a ministerial-level agency of the State Council and functions as a central economic planning and industrial policy body within the Chinese government.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Once the nuns moved to their own convent, Viatorian priests, some who also taught at Marian, moved in and lived there until Blanche died in 1983, according to materials from the historical society.—
Paul Eisenberg,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
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Al-Amil said the pope spoke in French with the priests during the video call that lasted about a minute and urged them to stay in their hometowns.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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Leo met Thursday with German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, who — despite Fernández's letter — recently recommended that priests in his archdiocese use the German guidelines as a basis for their pastoral care.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
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Leo met Thursday with German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, who — despite Fernández’s letter — recently recommended that priests in his archdiocese use the German guidelines as a basis for their pastoral care.—
Nicole Winfield,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Noun
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Heat legend Dwyane Wade saying his energy came from his mother, Jolinda, a preacher.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
9 May 2026
-
Officials further described him as a longtime preacher.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Some relatives broke down upon seeing the coffins, as a Muslim cleric led funeral prayers under tight security.—
Riaz Khan,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
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The group’s spiritual leader, Ayatollah Mohammad-Taqi Mesbah-Yazdi, who died in 2021, was one of the country’s most radical clerics.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clerical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clerical. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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