Synonyms of clerical

clerical 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkler-i-kəl 

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

• ministerial
• pastoral
• priestly
• sacerdotal
• ecclesiastical
• missionary
• ecclesiastic
• clerkly
• religious
• evangelical
• episcopal
• apostolic
• papal
• diocesan
• divine
• pontifical
• monastic
• patriarchal
• churchly
• canonical
• sacramental
• diaconal
• conventual
• rabbinic
• mendicant
• holy
• caliphal
• monachal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• secular
• lay
• temporal
• nonclerical

clerical

2 of 2

noun

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

• priest
• preacher
• cleric
• clergyman
• bishop
• deacon
• minister
• ecclesiastic
• reverend
• pastor
• clerk
• prelate
• chaplain
• divine
• clergyperson
• dominie
• father
• pope
• priestess
• archbishop
• missionary
• monk
• diocesan
• churchman
• abbot
• rector
• dean
• deaconess
• religious
• vicar
• presbyter
• padre
• parson
• curé
• abbé
• monastic
• friar
• confessor
• monsignor
• shepherd
• evangelist
• Holy Joe
• curate
• missioner
• clergywoman
• mendicant
• archpriest
• revivalist
• sky pilot
• oblate
• high priestess
• high priest
• missionizer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• layman
• secular
• layperson
• lay reader
• lector

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of clerical

Adjective

By the 1980s, England was beginning its turn away from churchgoing as a cornerstone of society, so nothing as extroverted or nakedly clerical as gospel choirs would fit a downcast, monochromatic land anyhow. — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026

By all accounts, the real Grandier was a handsome, charismatic speaker as well as a serial philanderer who spoke out against clerical celibacy. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026

Becerra’s father later began a construction career that lasted 30 years, while his mother worked as a clerical worker and later purchased rental properties. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

He is currently being detained at the prison ward designated for clerical inmates, according to official Iranian news reports. — Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026