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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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for first estate
Noun
  • In his ruling, Cogan also partly denied the administration's motion to dismiss the lawsuit brought by Haitian immigrants with TPS, a labor union and a clergy group with TPS beneficiaries.
    Jacqueline Charles Miami Herald, Arkansas Online, 20 July 2025
  • In his ruling, Cogan also partly denied the administration’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit brought by Haitian immigrants with TPS, a labor union and a clergy group with TPS beneficiaries.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 19 July 2025
Noun
  • The group was offering a free concert at the church as part of a U.S. tour, St. Paul's said.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 23 July 2025
  • Seemingly random bureaucratic obstacles impeded Gee’s formal conversion, leading her to feel unwanted by the church and, by extension, God.
    Terry Nguyen July 23, Literary Hub, 23 July 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 28 Jul. 2025.

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