priest

noun

ˈprēst How to pronounce priest (audio)
Definition of priestnext
as in preacher
a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church searched for a priest who could perform an exorcism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 priest Nalwamba previously served as a priest at Resurrection Anglican Fellowship in Greenwood Village for approximately 15 years. — Tori Mason, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 Traditionally, a karasunk was observed not only for birth and deaths but also for newlyweds and even for newly ordained priests. — Shushan Karapetian, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026 Seven women are ordained as Catholic priests aboard a boat on the Danube River on June 29, 2009. — Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed his death in a Facebook statement, identifying him as the parish priest of Perpetuo Socorro Church in its Central Vicariate. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for priest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for priest
  1. preacher
  2. cleric
  3. clergyman
  4. bishop
  5. minister
  6. deacon
  7. pastor
  8. reverend
Noun
  • The preacher was arrested in 2023 after police received a tip-off, and weeks later authorities began uncovering bodies in shallow graves in the Shakahola Forest near the coast in southeastern Kenya.
    — Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • In the background of a gut-wrenching new album from Teller Bank$, there’s a preacher who sees himself in the biblical parable of Noah’s ark.
    — Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of preacher
Noun
  • Attendance was mandatory, but a cleric with a loudspeaker tried to give the event a festive air.
    — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The lawmaker, Hamid Rasaei, a cleric who has regularly lashed out at Iran’s negotiating team, is a member of the ultra-hard-line political party Paydari.
    — Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of cleric
Noun
  • Without the charismatic clergyman, what kind of unruly Black-underclass anger would take the stage?
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
  • When Yakovlev mentioned the clergyman who attended the death-bed, Adelaide expressed surprise that John had asked to see a pastor.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of clergyman
Noun
  • Leo served as a missionary and bishop in Peru for a number of years.
    — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
  • From left, the other women are Paula Hoeffer, a bishop, and priests Amy Bruner and Mary Smith.
    — Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of bishop
Noun
  • The country's economy minister Roland Lescure has vowed government support for business owners who have suffered losses from the riots.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister, Eknath Shinde, who visited the family on Sunday night, said five were fired.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of minister
Noun
  • These female bishops, in turn, ordained more women as deacons, priests and bishops.
    — Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The youngest, a middle-school basketball coach who’s thinking about becoming a deacon or pastor, isn’t sure.
    — Eric Lau, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of deacon
Noun
  • The Johnson County pastor and the former rural doctor traded condemnations, repeatedly turning policy questions into opportunities to cast doubt on each other’s character and fitness for office.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Reporter covering religion, spirituality and meaning-making A 79-year-old Colorado pastor who lost 35 pounds and the strength to walk after being placed in immigration detention 13 months ago has been released by order of a federal magistrate judge.
    — Washington Post, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of pastor
Noun
  • But my little Outlander sweeties, this is not just any reverend, this is Reverend Wakefield.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026
  • However, a reverend in Zambia — Billiance Chondwe — says he's noticed a change.
    — Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 18 June 2026
Definition of reverend

Phrases Containing priest

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Cite this Entry

“Priest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/priest. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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