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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Recent Examples of priesthood
Long before the papacy, even before his first steps toward priesthood, for Jorge Mario Bergoglio – the boy who would go on to become Pope Francis – there was his hometown sports club, Buenos Aires’ San Lorenzo de Almagro.
—
Carmen M. Nanko-Fernández, The Conversation, 9 May 2025
When Pope Francis convened Roman Catholic bishops at the Vatican in 2019 to discuss the ordination of married men in remote parts of South America, the meeting raised expectations about the possibility of revolutionizing the celibate priesthood.
—Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Born in Argentina, Jorge Mario Bergoglio first joined the Catholic priesthood in 1969.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025
Overall, wrote Kate McElwee for the National Catholic Register in 2023, the cause of female priesthood did not advance far under Francis’ leadership.
—Christopher Parker, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for priesthood
Carmen M. Nanko-Fernández, The Conversation, 9 May 2025
When Pope Francis convened Roman Catholic bishops at the Vatican in 2019 to discuss the ordination of married men in remote parts of South America, the meeting raised expectations about the possibility of revolutionizing the celibate priesthood.
—Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Born in Argentina, Jorge Mario Bergoglio first joined the Catholic priesthood in 1969.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025
Overall, wrote Kate McElwee for the National Catholic Register in 2023, the cause of female priesthood did not advance far under Francis’ leadership.
—Christopher Parker, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for priesthood
Recent Examples of Synonyms for priesthood
Noun
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Its classification as a field of scientific study attracted members of the aristocracy towards it.—
Taylor Crumpton,
Time,
2 Sep. 2025
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A number of famous Americans could claim a link to British aristocracy, per the MyHeritage list.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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D’Annunzio jeers at her delusional belief that Il Duce will fund her dream project of a theater not for the wealthy cultural and intellectual elite, but for the Great War’s widows, orphans and veterans.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
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Shrewd dealmaker Anutin has been a mainstay in Thai politics throughout years of turmoil, positioning his Bhumjaithai party strategically between warring elites embroiled in an intractable power struggle and guaranteeing its place in a succession of coalition governments.—
Panarat Thepgumpanat,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The first-time All-Star would have career bests in ERA, WHIP (0.97) and ERA+ (131) if the season ended today.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
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Two editors selected it as the overall best.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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These Democrats headed for Omaha after Mayoral-elect John Ewing (D-NE) beat Jean Stothert, the longest serving incumbent mayor in the country.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Aug. 2025
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Kuecher said the mobile home park’s motion was against the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act, which says that if a park owner elects to cease the operation of either all or a portion of the mobile home park, the tenants shall be entitled to at least 12-months’ notice.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Ken embodied the best of everything the Montreal Canadiens are about, and his legacy within our society transcends our sport.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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However, critics see it as rooting for the underdog running amok, spotting an academic Marxist concept used to limit a free society.—
John Scott Lewinski,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Priesthood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/priesthood. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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