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

The archbishop is elected by representatives of the church’s dioceses and clergy and serves as the principal spokesperson for the province in national and international affairs.

— Stephanie TriplettAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
The mother of the former finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was taken; so were an Anglican archbishop and his wife.

— Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of archbishop

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

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

Take a look The White Sox's papal play Pope Leo XIV got a tribute Tuesday night when the White Sox hosted the Cincinnati Reds, as over 40,000 pope hats were handed out to fans and even players.

— Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
The pope especially wanted to avoid having tech firms establish the ethics for artificial intelligence.

— Yonat Shimron, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 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 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
According to a relative of Nathan who provided some of the sources Amit studied, the abbot reportedly also wrote letters to the Vatican and to monasteries in Switzerland pleading for a safe exit for Wolfgang.

— Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 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

Pernkopf was a Nazi functionary who became dean of the medical faculty in 1938 and rector of the university in 1943.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Kuehl pivoted to academia, eventually becoming an associate dean of students at her alma mater, UCLA, before earning a law degree from Harvard in 1978 at age 34.

— Sophie Clausen, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of dean

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“Prelate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelate. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of prelate

noun

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