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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first estate
Noun
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After the clergy offered praise and comfort to a group mourning Alex Pretti’s death, a Merrillville man pulled the scarf from his face and jacket hood from his head in the oppressive cold and took the microphone.—
Michelle L. Quinn,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026 -
In addition to clergy, community leaders and educators turned out in frigid conditions.—
John Lauritsen,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Around here, for too many immigrants, here lawfully or not, going to church has actually been risky for months.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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Stella Carlson was supposed to spend Saturday morning painting children’s faces at a church.—
Michael Williams,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“First estate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first%20estate. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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