as in deposed
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 defrocked
The priest who married them was really defrocked.
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026
Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA defrocked Chief Executive Officer Luigi Lovaglio in an effort to end a bruising period of leadership turmoil.
—Sonia Sirletti, Bloomberg, 25 Mar. 2026
Kiesle was finally defrocked in 1987.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
While a review board deemed the abuse credible, the Vatican -- at the urging of then-Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin -- let Allard retire rather than be defrocked.
—Arkansas Online, 24 Feb. 2026
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026
Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA defrocked Chief Executive Officer Luigi Lovaglio in an effort to end a bruising period of leadership turmoil.
—Sonia Sirletti, Bloomberg, 25 Mar. 2026
Kiesle was finally defrocked in 1987.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
While a review board deemed the abuse credible, the Vatican -- at the urging of then-Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin -- let Allard retire rather than be defrocked.
—Arkansas Online, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defrocked
Verb
-
On May 28, a judge ruled that Todd Culyba, a former global general counsel at Stoli Group, could be deposed in regards to the case, per Page Six.—
Robyn Merrett,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
-
As part of the ongoing civil court case, Andreatta, a Lincoln council member, was deposed.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Then, just three plays later, Grier was sacked by Saints defensive end Cam Jordan.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2026
-
During Wednesday’s open-media look, Thomas flew around the edge during 11-on-11 and would have likely sacked quarterback Justin Fields in a game situation.—
Pete Sweeney
June 4,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The novel was initially ignored, and then—after Graham Greene called it one of the best books of the year—dismissed, and then banned, first in the UK and then in France.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
Resuming on 55-5 and requiring 254 for an unlikely win, New Zealand lost its remaining five wickets inside the first two hours of play and was dismissed for 138.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defrocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defrocked. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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