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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Example Sentences
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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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Onganía’s rule lasted only a few years before he was deposed and replaced by another general, and soon the political chaos was matched by economic disruption.—
Daniel Alarcón,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
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Before Attacking Iran, The IAF Made Syrian Airspace More Accessible Than Ever Before After armed opposition groups in Syria finally deposed the Assad regime in a lightning November-December 2024 offensive, Israel swiftly took action.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2025
Verb
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At least one department, the Department of Veterans Affairs, has massively scaled back a plan to sack more than 76,000 employees.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
10 July 2025
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On a stroll through New York City yesterday, Hathaway’s outfit offered a fun solution for not sacking off your denim in the high summer heat just yet.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defrock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defrock. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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