as in church
the people of a religion who are not priests, ministers, etc.
a member of the laity The laity has played an important role in the history of the church.
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Recent Examples of laity
Yet many donors—ministers, nonprofit leaders, and faithful laity—gave to support orthodox Christian training rooted in biblical fidelity, not the progressive agendas dominating mainline seminaries.
—
The Rev. Jake Dell, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2025
Examples of some of these key changes under Francis were revised procedures for an assembly of bishops known as a synod by allowing women and laity to participate, and his appointment of women to lead certain Vatican agencies.
—Liam Adams, USA Today, 12 May 2025
Francis expanded the College of Cardinals beyond the large dioceses and archdioceses to create geographic and cultural diversity and to better represent the makeup of the laity and where the church is growing.
—Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
As during the Protestant Reformation, the theological divide has extended beyond the clergy to the laity and the common faithful in the pew.
—Massimo Faggioli, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2018
See All Example Sentences for laity
The Rev. Jake Dell, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2025
Examples of some of these key changes under Francis were revised procedures for an assembly of bishops known as a synod by allowing women and laity to participate, and his appointment of women to lead certain Vatican agencies.
—Liam Adams, USA Today, 12 May 2025
Francis expanded the College of Cardinals beyond the large dioceses and archdioceses to create geographic and cultural diversity and to better represent the makeup of the laity and where the church is growing.
—Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
As during the Protestant Reformation, the theological divide has extended beyond the clergy to the laity and the common faithful in the pew.
—Massimo Faggioli, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2018
See All Example Sentences for laity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laity
Noun
-
Authorities allege that Shaleta pocketed $30,000 in monthly cash payments from a tenant of the church’s social hall over months.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
11 Mar. 2026
-
A lot of actual music was happening in church.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Proceeds help the Knights of Columbus support various parish and community outreach charities such as Mary’s Path, for teen mothers and their babies; Thomas House, a shelter for homeless; Isaiah House, a temporary shelter for homeless women in OC; and San Antonio’s Family Assistance Ministry.—
Sharon Hlapcich,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The parish dates back to 1886, and the seven current buildings on the parish campus date from between 1917 and 1957, Preservation Chicago said.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Growing up, the theater was a holy place, a cathedral of congregation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The congregation became the heart of the Black community in Chadds Ford.—
Madeleine Wright,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laity. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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