PRELATE Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

prelate

noun

Definition of prelate

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 prelate 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 Many other national bishops’ conferences and individual prelates have spoken out. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Mar. 2026 However, the bishops took the extra step of releasing a video of various prelates reading the message into the camera, a component that observers interpreted as an unusually direct and personal rebuke. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 20 Dec. 2025 The Reverend Leah Daughtry is national presiding prelate of The House of the Lord Churches, co-convenor of Power Rising, author, and political strategist, having served as chief of staff of the DNC, CEO of the 2008 and 2016 Democratic Conventions, and an at-large member of the DNC. — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prelate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelate

Noun

Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, along with two orders of nuns, the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm and the Little Sisters of the Poor, filed a lawsuit last week to block Illinois’ assisted suicide law.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
As negotiations resumed under the mediation of the Roman Catholic archbishop of Cochabamba, Tito Solari, hopes briefly rose that the monthslong conflict might finally be nearing an end.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of archbishop

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

John Paul, who also came in 1987, was the first and last pope to visit.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026
Before thousands of fans can wear them, collect them, or hand them over to the pope himself, someone has to dream up the various memorabilia given away to fans entering Rate Field on game day.

— Sara Machi, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of pope

Noun

This would be the case also for an apostate, heretic, schismatic bishop, presbyter, or deacon.

— Fr. Goran Jovicic, National Review, 13 June 2021
Before coming to Birmingham, Webster had served 18 years as executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Sierra Blanca in southern New Mexico.

— Greg Garrison, AL.com, 19 July 2017

Definition of presbyter

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

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

Jean Wactawski-Wende, PhD, dean of the University of Buffalo’s School of Public Health and an epidemiologist who researches what influences women’s health and led the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) steering committee.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 17 Sep. 2026
Political analyst Abraham Kuol Nyuon, dean of the University of Juba graduate college, said the leadership change could further complicate preparations, including voter registration.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of dean

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“Prelate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelate. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of prelate

noun

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