as in priests
a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church
my cousin was married by his uncle, who is also a deacon in his church
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Recent Examples of deacons
At the 1978 Lambeth Conference, Nigerian leadership opposed the recommendation to allow the ordination of women as deacons and priests, though the proposal sparked debate within the church.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Two thousand people are expected to attend, including numerous religious figures such as bishops, priests and deacons.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Early Christians cited menstruation as the reason for not allowing female deacons or priests.
—Megan Bryson, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2026
Powell’s lawyers also introduced documentation that Lorch, who began coaching the Hawks in 1961, served on Riverside’s board of deacons and board of trustees, as well as several church committees, and that the Hawks’ basketball success was touted multiple times in Riverside’s official newsletter.
—Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Last December, they were ordained to be transitional deacons by Cardinal Robert McElroy, who was then head of the San Diego diocese and is both a controversial and consequential figure in the Catholic church.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025
As eight priests, two deacons and the Milwaukee archbishop celebrated Mass at the altar, Grunwaldt skirted the back, quietly keeping the operation running.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 26 Nov. 2025
Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Two thousand people are expected to attend, including numerous religious figures such as bishops, priests and deacons.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Early Christians cited menstruation as the reason for not allowing female deacons or priests.
—Megan Bryson, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2026
Powell’s lawyers also introduced documentation that Lorch, who began coaching the Hawks in 1961, served on Riverside’s board of deacons and board of trustees, as well as several church committees, and that the Hawks’ basketball success was touted multiple times in Riverside’s official newsletter.
—Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Last December, they were ordained to be transitional deacons by Cardinal Robert McElroy, who was then head of the San Diego diocese and is both a controversial and consequential figure in the Catholic church.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025
As eight priests, two deacons and the Milwaukee archbishop celebrated Mass at the altar, Grunwaldt skirted the back, quietly keeping the operation running.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 26 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deacons
Noun
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In Colina, Chile, pilgrims on horseback took part in the Quasimodo Feast, a procession held the Sunday following Easter, accompanying priests giving communion to the poor.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
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As faith leaders continue to toe the line between politics and religious teachings, Wenski said that priests and other clergy do not need to shy away from politics, but should not show bias toward one political party over another.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Until then, smuggling weed had been a grand adventure, an escape from a society that had just thrown Prager’s generation into a meat grinder in Vietnam, a repudiation of the crooked politicians and backward preachers and greedy capitalists who were running the world.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
17 Mar. 2026
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This type of apocalyptic thought has roots in the 19th century, when many American preachers turned toward more literal readings of the Bible.—
Shalom Goldman,
The Conversation,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deacons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deacons. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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