as in priests
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 clerics
The lawsuit echoes criticism that most commissioners are conservative Christian clerics and commentators; one is an Orthodox Jewish rabbi.
—
Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
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
The lawsuit echoes criticism that most commissioners are conservative Christian clerics and commentators; one is an Orthodox Jewish rabbi.
—ABC News, 9 May 2026
The text was first reviewed by three clerics and then copied by scribes onto marble for stonemasons to chisel.
—Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 May 2026
Perhaps the most sensitive matter is Iran, a nation of nasty clerics and old-time belligerents that declared war on America and Israel 47 years ago.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Analysts and clerics are keen to stress the overall importance of this visit to the continent.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2026
Leo spoke during a gathering of top bishops of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq, an Eastern Rite Catholic church whose clerics are in Rome to elect a new patriarch.
—Brian Dakss, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Leo spoke during a gathering of top bishops of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq, an Eastern Rite Catholic church whose clerics are in Rome to elect a new patriarch.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
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
The lawsuit echoes criticism that most commissioners are conservative Christian clerics and commentators; one is an Orthodox Jewish rabbi.
—ABC News, 9 May 2026
The text was first reviewed by three clerics and then copied by scribes onto marble for stonemasons to chisel.
—Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 May 2026
Perhaps the most sensitive matter is Iran, a nation of nasty clerics and old-time belligerents that declared war on America and Israel 47 years ago.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Analysts and clerics are keen to stress the overall importance of this visit to the continent.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2026
Leo spoke during a gathering of top bishops of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq, an Eastern Rite Catholic church whose clerics are in Rome to elect a new patriarch.
—Brian Dakss, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Leo spoke during a gathering of top bishops of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq, an Eastern Rite Catholic church whose clerics are in Rome to elect a new patriarch.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clerics
Noun
-
His center has specialized in offering spiritual healing for priests troubled by various difficulties.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
-
Performers in traditional dress portray Inca nobility, priests and warriors, and the rituals are conducted in Quechua, the language of the Inca Empire and still widely spoken in the Andes today.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Comprising more than 300 folktales and legends from northern Norway, including many from the coastal Sámi and the Skolt Sámi of eastern Finland, this anthology shares narratives told by fishers, farmers, reindeer herders, lay preachers and teachers.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
-
Before God, Puritan preachers taught, all human callings, all useful work, is equal.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clerics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clerics. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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