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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of laity
Kevin Cardinal Farrell headed the Vatican’s family and laity office and is currently the one tasked with running the Holy See in the interval between a pope’s death and the election of the next one.
—
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 6 May 2025
In a 2023 interview with Vatican News, the then-cardinal said the women had enriched the process and reaffirmed the need for the laity to have a greater role in the church.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
Clergy and laity, faithful and curious, novice and veteran attendees all packed into the world's tiniest country to be a part of the historical moment.
—Daniel Burke, NPR, 8 May 2025
The pope reserves the right to make any member of the church a cardinal, including laity.
—Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for laity
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 6 May 2025
In a 2023 interview with Vatican News, the then-cardinal said the women had enriched the process and reaffirmed the need for the laity to have a greater role in the church.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
Clergy and laity, faithful and curious, novice and veteran attendees all packed into the world's tiniest country to be a part of the historical moment.
—Daniel Burke, NPR, 8 May 2025
The pope reserves the right to make any member of the church a cardinal, including laity.
—Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for laity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laity
Noun
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Legend has it that in 1327, Petrarch caught sight of a fair-haired, married woman named Laura in the church of Saint-Claire and fell head over heels, inspiring ardent daily writings of passion, anguish and ultimately despair.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
28 June 2025
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Sheriff’s officials said a man was stabbed multiple times, and the wounded man staggered into a nearby church.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
28 June 2025
Noun
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Police on Friday captured one of the New Orleans parish inmates who escaped six weeks ago in a jailbreak Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry called the worst in recent state history.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
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The publication reported that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents entered Catholic parish properties in Montclair and Highland on Friday, June 20.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
Noun
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Nationally, evangelical congregations ranked among the Republican president’s most enthusiastic supporters — voting clout that has made White-Cain a powerful political influence in the White House.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
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The dance was organized by several congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Laity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laity. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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