MONK Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

monk

noun

Definition of monk

as in friar

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of monk According to Philenews, the monk occupied two cells at the monastery for several years, one of which was previously occupied by his late father. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026 The monk-to-entrepreneur pipeline has shocked some of his fans and followers who say making $21 million a year is antithetical to a monk lifestyle. — Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Users who have downloaded his app include a strip club owner, a Buddhist monk and parents. — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 During his stay, he was introduced to a monk named Brother Christian. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for monk

Recent Examples of Synonyms for monk

Noun

The tour guide, a man dressed up as a friar, walks over to the small memorial site.

— Sonjirose Chin, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2026
The film, which is playing Out of Competition on the Lido, charts the brutality of Spanish friar Padre Enciso over the population in the 17th century.

— Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of friar

Noun

The Bible’s message was seen as not only informative but salvific, and the monastic who memorized its words filled his or her soul with divine wisdom.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
Historical questions remain, however, regarding whether such practices were primarily reserved for monastics or widely practiced among laypeople.

— Daniel M. Stuart, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026

Definition of monastic

Noun

The abbot eventually suspended the monk from his clerical duties a few months ago and the pair’s relationship worsened, per the outlet.

— Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
The court found that Shi used his positions, including as the temple abbot, to illegally embezzle more than $19 million alone or in conspiracy with others, between 2003 and 2025, CCTV reported.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026

Definition of abbot

Noun

Throughout much of Buddhist history, and particularly in Theravada Buddhist contexts, mindfulness and its associated meditation methods have been the purview of mendicants (monks and nuns), who used mindfulness meditation to achieve trance states (jhana) leading to nirvana.

— Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026
An internationally famous leader who lived a mendicant’s life.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026

Definition of mendicant

Noun

That post went to Hossein Taeb, a hard-line cleric and longtime intelligence chief who led one of the first major crackdowns on protests, in 2009.

— Lee Keath, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Iran's Assembly of Experts, a group of 88 clerics, picked the mid-ranking cleric with influence in the country's security forces and business networks to succeed his father, announcing the decision March 8.

— Zac Anderson, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of cleric

Noun

Soon, the vast stadium was packed — not with rugby fans or concertgoers, but with thousands who came to pray with an African preacher.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
The hunting buddies thank God and good friends that McCoy, a Baptist preacher, survived the attack at all.

— Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of preacher

Noun

Among the mourners and dozens of clergy at Trinity Cathedral in midtown Sacramento on Thursday was a man who met Jerry Lamb just once but whose life the late bishop touched.

— Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Man of books and learning Several of the videos show Athanasius of Alexandria, a fourth-century bishop and theologian traditionally considered one of the church fathers.

— Denva Gallant, The Conversation, 8 July 2026

Definition of bishop

Browse Nearby Words

monitory

monk

monkey

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“Monk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monk. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of monk

noun

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