as in priests
a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church
as the leading ecclesiastic for his church in the state, the bishop must be beyond reproach in everything he does
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ecclesiastics
Noun
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What to expect at the installation Mass The longer-than-normal Mass will have a large attendance with many religious figures such as bishops, priests, deacons and other guests.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026 -
Plunging enrollment has dogged archdiocese schools for decades as tuition costs have climbed, while the number of free teachers (priests and nuns) has plummeted.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Marcos briefly suspended habeas corpus and blamed his sclerotic economy on the agitations of leftist rebels, students, journalists, and preachers.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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King’s ability to take ideas from White preachers’ bland sermons and convert them to stirring oratory was part of his genius, Miller says.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The men will join a long procession of clerics in the walk to the main altar.—
Tony Aiello,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
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She was nominated by a 17-member commission composed of clerics and lay people and her appointment was confirmed by King Charles III, who is the supreme governor of the church.—
Danica Kirka,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Ecclesiastics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ecclesiastics. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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