POPE Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

pope

noun

Definition of pope

as in archbishop

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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 pope During this period the Vatican will continue to function as normal, but decisions needing the pope’s signature will be placed on hold. — Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2026 The Vatican said in a separate statement that Pope Leo XIV’s surgery will take place early next week, with an additional week spent recovering in the hospital, likely Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, which has a special apartment for the pope. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2026 The Vatican expects a weeklong recovery that could affect immediate duties, but the pope’s November trip to Latin America is expected to go on as planned. — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 Hurley said the pope's blessing of the White Sox at the start of the playoffs was special. — Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pope

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pope

Noun

Bishop’s Lodge dates to the 1860s when Santa Fe’s first archbishop, Bishop Jean Baptiste Lamy, built a chapel and private residence here.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
The pilgrims were going to a prayer site in Nakuru County, west of the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, said Martin Kivuva, archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of archbishop

Noun

On April 18, 1049, the pope exempted a nunnery in Alsace – now in Sainte-Croix-en-Plaine, France – from the legal authority and supervision of the local bishop.

— Joëlle Rollo-Koster, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026
Warren Jeffs then appointed Nephi Jeffs, another brother, as bishop.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of bishop

Noun

The men were also ordered to return more than 300 million baht (about $9 million) to the hospice at Wat Phra Bat Namphu temple in the central province of Lopburi, where Alongkot had served as abbot.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of abbot

Noun

The group was founded in 1970 in Switzerland by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, a French prelate, but five years later was officially suppressed by the Bishop of Fribourg.

— Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
In roughly 33 hours over the course of two days, the diverse group of international prelates elected Prevost on the fourth ballot.

— Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026

Definition of prelate

Noun

Luis Antonio Tagle, 69, a Filipino cardinal, was appointed by Pope Leo XIV as the new dean of the College of Cardinals, elevating his profile as a papal contender in the process.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
The dean of students said her office was investigating fraternities over allegations of physical assault, hazing and drug use.

— Amy B Wang, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of dean

Noun

The first is the strikingly Gothic diocesan throne, which sits in the cathedral choir and dates from the Victorian era.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
The diocesan website includes a statement from Dallas Bishop Edward Burns connecting the need for social distancing with the story of the Good Samaritan.

— David Tarrant, Dallas News, 6 Apr. 2020

Definition of diocesan

Noun

In 2014, Pope Francis abolished the future use of the monsignor title — which denotes a specific honor — for most priests.

— Vivian Wilson, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026
This time around, the monsignor of a small-town church is found dead under mysterious circumstances, and Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is summoned to investigate.

— Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026

Definition of monsignor

Noun

Caleb Flynn, a pastor who competed on American Idol season 12, has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for murdering his wife, Ashley Flynn, AP News reports.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Bakker was forced to resign from his empire, turning over operations to pastor and broadcaster Jerry Falwell.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of pastor

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“Pope.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pope. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pope

noun

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