as in episcopal
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Recent Examples of papal
Even the office was sort of papal.
—
Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 20 Jan. 2026
Mario doubled back for the Alabama cleansing, Nick Saban’s football version of a papal blessing and three years on staff making Mario hirable again.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
Since his election at the papal conclave in May, the American pontiff's tenure has largely been shaped by commitments inherited from Francis, including the major events of the 2025 Holy Year.
—Anna Matranga, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Eight months later, John Paul II died, and the papal conclave elected as his successor Joseph Ratzinger, who took the name Benedict XVI; Bergoglio, who at the time was thought to be a conservative, was the runner-up.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for papal
Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 20 Jan. 2026
Mario doubled back for the Alabama cleansing, Nick Saban’s football version of a papal blessing and three years on staff making Mario hirable again.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
Since his election at the papal conclave in May, the American pontiff's tenure has largely been shaped by commitments inherited from Francis, including the major events of the 2025 Holy Year.
—Anna Matranga, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Eight months later, John Paul II died, and the papal conclave elected as his successor Joseph Ratzinger, who took the name Benedict XVI; Bergoglio, who at the time was thought to be a conservative, was the runner-up.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for papal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for papal
Adjective
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This year there was the addition of a new episcopal area for Burundi and Rwanda and the appointment of nine new bishops, a reversal of the trend among U.S. bishops.—
Liam Adams,
Nashville Tennessean,
26 Oct. 2025
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Haller Suites & Restaurant offers a dining experience with panoramic views over the episcopal town.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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The bishops further authorized a new edition of the Roman Pontifical for pontifical Masses, expected to be completed by 2027, with Vatican approval pending for some rites, according to the Catholic News Agency.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Nov. 2025
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In its report, the pontifical commission highlights failures in the Italian church.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Like his apostolic namesake, Thomas believes unquestioningly in the evidence of his senses.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
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The ceremony will be presided over by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
18 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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However, the politician lacks the religious credentials of his father to lead a clerical regime and is not particularly popular in Iran.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
9 Mar. 2026
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Political figures within Iran criticized the idea of handing over the supreme leader’s title based on heredity and thereby creating a clerical version of the rule of the shah, who was toppled during the 1979 Islamic Revolution.—
Jon Gambrell,
Fortune,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Thaksin could be eligible for parole in May, his nephew is the party’s prime ministerial candidate.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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The referendum refers political reforms that include prime ministerial term limits, stronger checks on executive power and other safeguards preventing parliamentary power consolidation.—
Julhas Alam,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Lopez’s thoughts turned to those who may have strayed from the faith, the priestly role in bringing them back and the importance of Christmas in perhaps sparking that return.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Dec. 2025
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Full priestly duties June through October, combined with driving up and down the mountain, had been a stretch.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The lack of evangelical Christians at America’s most prestigious institutions fuels mistrust.—
Aaron M. Renn,
Washington Post,
6 Mar. 2026
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The phrase has also gained popularity in political settings with some on the Catholic and evangelical right who are strongly pro-Israel and have repeatedly denounced antisemitism, such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.—
Peter Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Prosperity is lauded dozens of times in the Book of Mormon, so knocking for commissions can feel almost sacerdotal.—
Tad Friend,
The New Yorker,
1 Aug. 2022
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Diminution drains this office of the sacerdotal pomposities that have encrusted it.—
Conor Friedersdorf,
The Atlantic,
1 Aug. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Papal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papal. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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