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
Young Catholics penned an open letter reminding cardinals that there is no church without young people, women and the laity.
—
Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
But the next pope will also lead a U.S. laity with some differences within it.
—Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 7 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
Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
But the next pope will also lead a U.S. laity with some differences within it.
—Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 7 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
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Growing up in church, his musical talent was discovered early.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
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Kate — who is known for recycling outfits, often years apart — debuted the piece during a January 2020 visit to Bradford Town Hall before reusing the coat at the royal family's Christmas church outing in 2022.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Josh O’Connor, who leads as Father Jud, attempting to save the flock of churchgoers at an upstate New York parish, was not in attendance at the screening.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Oct. 2025
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Outside his parish, a mosaic of Augustinian saints — including Saint Monica, Clare of Montefalco, and Saint Rita of Cascia — reflects that spiritual lineage.—
Jason DeRose,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Plus, their father was the deacon of the local Catholic congregation – all the more reason to maintain a saintly lifestyle.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
14 Oct. 2025
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Funds from the sale have gone to renovate First Lutheran for three culturally specific congregations that will soon outfit the church with new services targeted to their own communities.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Laity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laity. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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