as in aristocracy
individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class
a gathering of Mafia dons that was in effect a convocation of the nation's priesthood of organized crime
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of priesthood
Ordained to the Catholic priesthood in June, Jimenez was watching as parishioners acted out the Nativity scene during a posada, a Latin American tradition that reenacts Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem in search of shelter.
—
Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025
In a faith where men hold all priesthood authority, reality TV has become an unexpected loophole for female dissent.
—H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Rather than the writer pontificating about how Pfleger needs to retire from active priesthood, how about a better use of his time by advocating the notion that pedophile priests should be retired to jail.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Black men also were banned from ordained priesthood.
—Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for priesthood
Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025
In a faith where men hold all priesthood authority, reality TV has become an unexpected loophole for female dissent.
—H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Rather than the writer pontificating about how Pfleger needs to retire from active priesthood, how about a better use of his time by advocating the notion that pedophile priests should be retired to jail.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Black men also were banned from ordained priesthood.
—Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for priesthood
Recent Examples of Synonyms for priesthood
Noun
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For example, they might be classified by the number of rulers, thus distinguishing government by one (as in a monarchy or a tyranny) from government by the few (in an aristocracy or oligarchy) and from government by the many (as in a democracy).—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Marquess of Hartington and a member of the British aristocracy.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The former shared their hobby with Javanese aristocrats and other elites, and the latter collaborated with local artisans who supplied the materials to serve Indonesian customers.—
H.M.A. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Apr. 2026
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Despite being an oil-producing country experiencing modest economic growth, young people say the benefits have not trickled down beyond the elites.—
Claudio Lavanga,
NBC news,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But, a couple of injuries for Blackwood, combined with his own work, has allowed Wedgewood to start 40 games and appear in 42 this season -- easily career-bests at the NHL level.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
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Rice this season produced career bests in points, field-goal accuracy, rebounds and steals.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Leefbaar Rotterdam, Reichman’s political party, has sought to distance itself from the council member-elect.—
Brooke Migdon,
PEOPLE,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Congratulations to the new members-elect.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Echeverria, who is a part of the social justice committee at the Universalist church, said the church — a relatively new denomination that focuses on social justice issues — teaches about humanity and showing up for society’s most vulnerable.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
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Created by Graham Yost based on Hugh Howey’s New York Times bestselling trilogy , Season 3 continues the saga of a dystopian society of 10,000 people living underground under mysterious circumstances, while revealing an origin story set centuries earlier.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Priesthood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/priesthood. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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