PREACHER Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

preacher

noun

ˈprē-chər

Definition of preacher

as in priest

a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church the marriage will be performed by our usual preacher

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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 preacher Politicians and preachers denounced them for blasphemy, perversion, and their loud support for civil rights. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2026 In the movie, a local brothel — the Devil’s Playhouse — becomes the target of a TV preacher, forcing the town’s sheriff, who happens to be a frequent customer, to save it. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Aug. 2026 The son of a former preacher, the South Carolina native grew up around music. — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026 Parton’s first musical performances were in church, where her grandfather was a preacher. — Kristin M. Hall, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preacher

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preacher

Noun

In 1972, William Christopher joined the cast of M*A*S*H as Father John Mulcahy, the Catholic priest who serves as the Army chaplain.

— Rachel Flynn, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
For the traditional Telugu Hindu ceremony, their priest translated Sanskrit to English in real time, and the mandap was designed as a circle to represent how life flows into itself for eternity.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of priest

Noun

Such details include McCartney’s bare feet and opposite stride and the other members’ attire (Lennon’s white supposedly represents a clergyman, Starr’s black a mourner, and Harrison’s denim a gravedigger).

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 July 2026
Robin, our hero, is the son of a country clergyman.

— John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026

Definition of clergyman

Noun

Some ministers also raised the idea of using billions of euros in frozen Russian assets to help meet more of Ukraine’s military and economic needs.

— Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
For the past four years, the territory has been the domain of Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionism party, who serves simultaneously as finance minister and as the minister in charge of the West Bank.

— Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of minister

Noun

However, a reverend in Zambia — Billiance Chondwe — says he's noticed a change.

— Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 18 June 2026
Spirtual foundation Astara, where Guidera reportedly served as a reverend, paid tribute to the late actor in an emotional social media post over the weekend.

— Edward Segarra, USA Today, 9 June 2026

Definition of reverend

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preacher

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“Preacher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preacher. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of preacher

noun

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