as in ministerial
of, relating to, or characteristic of the clergy
clerical duties such as providing spiritual counseling and leading Bible study classes
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clerical
Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026
The measure accidentally erased Measure J from the charter through a clerical error.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 4 May 2026
Cove Gardens, where my family lived, was a sprawling red brick rental complex built after the war for the light-industrial, service, and clerical workers who were saving up for their own houses in a better area.
—Chang-Rae Lee, New Yorker, 3 May 2026
The company announced Friday afternoon that clerical workers represented by United Steelworkers Local 13796 had ratified a new labor agreement, and will return to work on Tuesday.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for clerical
Adjective
With just state money at the current funding level, according to Wednesday’s presentation, CMS could only afford 89% of its teachers, 46% of its assistant principals, 60% of its instructional support positions and 58% of its clerical and custodial staff.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026
The measure accidentally erased Measure J from the charter through a clerical error.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 4 May 2026
Cove Gardens, where my family lived, was a sprawling red brick rental complex built after the war for the light-industrial, service, and clerical workers who were saving up for their own houses in a better area.
—Chang-Rae Lee, New Yorker, 3 May 2026
The company announced Friday afternoon that clerical workers represented by United Steelworkers Local 13796 had ratified a new labor agreement, and will return to work on Tuesday.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for clerical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clerical
Adjective
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The ministerial list was announced by his new prime minister, economist Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo.—
Jenny Vaughan,
semafor.com,
2 June 2026
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Others, like German chief of defense General Carsten Breuer, said that China is losing a chance at dialogue by not having a ministerial-level delegation.—
Lim Hui Jie,Joanna Ossinger,
CNBC,
31 May 2026
Noun
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The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, DC, has removed a priest as an exorcist and cut ties with the priest's nonprofit organization over comments the priest made about UFOs and demons.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
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Monsignor Stephen Rossetti is a priest and psychologist who has heldprominent positions in the Archdiocese of Washington for decades.—
Michelle Boorstein,
Washington Post,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Families living in a toxic-waste polluted area around Naples were preparing to meet Pope Leo XIV during his pastoral visit on Saturday, carrying with them years of grief, anger and hopes for justice after losing children to cancer linked to a multi-billion mafia racket of dumping toxic waste.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 May 2026
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Rolling hills, vineyards and timber detailing give the estate its pastoral charm—all just a 90-minute drive from Sydney.—
Natalie Hoberman,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Noun
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Before God, Puritan preachers taught, all human callings, all useful work, is equal.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
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Studio executives might not have had much interest in listening to a preacher from Tupelo, but parent companies could be threatened with viewer anger.—
Isaac Butler,
New Yorker,
30 May 2026
Noun
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In 1994 Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was also a cleric with the rank of ayatollah, issued a fatwa forbidding the practice of self-flagellation.—
Charles Preston,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 May 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Clerical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clerical. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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