first estate

as in clergy
the group ordained to perform clerical functions in the Christian church a nation in which the first estate had long held a privileged position

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for first estate
Noun
  • Many Catholic leaders rejected the pope’s stance, with bishops in Africa, Poland and other parts of the world refusing to implement the policy or barring their clergy from offering these blessings.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
  • While federal officers have been arresting people at courthouses since President Donald Trump promised mass deportations around the country, nobody was seized while clergy was on-site.
    Blake Nelson, Mercury News, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • Parishioners of Holy Trinity have suggested the Archdiocese is looking to close the church.
    Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2025
  • The event will run until 11 p.m. The First Lutheran Church of Plano will host a free community shredding event and a food and book drive from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 20, at the church, 200 N. Center St. in Plano.
    Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“First estate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first%20estate. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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