as in to depose
to remove from a position of prominence or power (as a throne)
the movie's director was defrocked for going way over budget
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Recent Examples of defrock
One exception is former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was defrocked in 2019 after abuse allegations surfaced.
—
Fredrick Kunkle, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2023
Francis originally set out the norms as a response to the decades of cover-up exposed by a Pennsylvania grand jury report and the scandal over then-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was eventually defrocked for abusing adults as well as minors.
—Nicole Winfield, al, 25 Mar. 2023
None of the priests were defrocked.
—Monica Scislowska, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2023
Under Ratzinger’s watch as cardinal and pope, the Vatican authorized fast-track administrative procedures to defrock egregious abusers.
—Nicole Winfield, ajc, 1 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for defrock
Fredrick Kunkle, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2023
Francis originally set out the norms as a response to the decades of cover-up exposed by a Pennsylvania grand jury report and the scandal over then-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was eventually defrocked for abusing adults as well as minors.
—Nicole Winfield, al, 25 Mar. 2023
None of the priests were defrocked.
—Monica Scislowska, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2023
Under Ratzinger’s watch as cardinal and pope, the Vatican authorized fast-track administrative procedures to defrock egregious abusers.
—Nicole Winfield, ajc, 1 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for defrock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defrock
Verb
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This means government officials from Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the state will be deposed under oath.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2025
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Both men, who are two of Sudan’s most powerful generals, jointly deposed the country’s long-time leader Omar al-Bashir in 2019 and subsequently played a role in a military coup two years later.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The system favoured by the new Coach appears to have no space for the Brazil native, who has played just four minutes since Thiago Motta was sacked.—
Adam Digby,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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The vast majority are unceremoniously sacked after losing their grip.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defrock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defrock. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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