PASTOR Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

pastor

noun

Definition of pastor

as in rector

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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 pastor Lynch, senior advisor and spokesperson for Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, said one encounter with a local pastor stayed with her throughout the visit. — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026 David Ulloa Jr Loye Ashton, a pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in Glendale, dropped off his ballot at the Islamic Community Center polling location on July 21. — Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 21 July 2026 Elleson — a pastor from Arlington Heights who won a four-way primary for the GOP nomination — has yet to report his campaign finances. — Russell Lissau, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026 Cynthia Allen, 62, the wife of a Philadelphia church pastor, and Candice Langley, 46, are named in the same case charging them with health care fraud conspiracy. — Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 19 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pastor

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pastor

Noun

There was only one doctor left in the country who could do it, neurosurgeon Volodymyr Smolanka, acting rector of Uzhhorod National University.

— Elaine Pofeldt, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
The Rectory As the name suggests, The Rectory was originally home to the rector of nearby All Saints’ Church and his 14 children.

— Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026

Definition of rector

Noun

The couple were married by a female vicar, per the Daily Mail.

— Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
Nearly every murder is solved by the end of the episode, but despite the unusual twist of having the village vicar team up with the police, the real action comes from the relationships among the characters.

— Pat Saperstein, Variety, 14 June 2026

Definition of vicar

Noun

Meanwhile, churchmen claimed the authority to restrain violence, encouraged just wars and threatened violent behaviors with spiritual sanctions.

— Joëlle Rollo-Koster, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026
Not all birth rituals depended on the intercession of a saint or the authority of a churchman.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026

Definition of churchman

Noun

The landing party follows the sheep to a cave, where Odysseus notices this shepherd has been making cheese.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 July 2026
The movie focuses on a murder of a shepherd unraveled by his flock, which aids a somewhat hapless rural policeman in solving the crime.

— David Folkenflik, NPR, 23 July 2026

Definition of shepherd

Noun

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
Juan José Gerardi Conedera (born December 27, 1922, Guatemala City, Guatemala—killed April 26, 1998, Guatemala City) was a Guatemalan Roman Catholic bishop and human rights activist.

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026

Definition of bishop

Noun

The Mexican fan palm, supposedly brought here by the mission-building padres to supply Palm Sunday foliage, can grow taller, maybe 10 stories, and skinnier, and can dip and sway camera-readily in the wind.

— Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025
The group has since evolved to the comité de padres and grown to roughly 30 mothers.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 18 Apr. 2024

Definition of padre

Browse Nearby Words

past masters

pastor

pastoral

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“Pastor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pastor. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of pastor

noun

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