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
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
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis joined the Catholic priesthood at 18 and rose up the ranks of the Argentine clergy.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 15 July 2025
Back in the 1980s, Nicanor Palacios was an altar boy with Leo during his early priesthood in nearby Piura, and traveled the area with him for services.
—Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for priesthood
Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Black men also were banned from ordained priesthood.
—Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis joined the Catholic priesthood at 18 and rose up the ranks of the Argentine clergy.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 15 July 2025
Back in the 1980s, Nicanor Palacios was an altar boy with Leo during his early priesthood in nearby Piura, and traveled the area with him for services.
—Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for priesthood
Recent Examples of Synonyms for priesthood
Noun
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The best dressed women in the world adored his designs, and his clientele included everyone from American First Ladies and Movie Stars to members of the aristocracy.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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The Kardashians and other ring-light aristocracy passed around asymptomatic tests like hors d’oeuvres for parties while frontline clinicians — going toe-to-toe with the virus and terrified of turning their children into their next patients — were informed there simply weren’t tests to spare.—
Jennifer W. Tsai,
STAT,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
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For 35 years Brazilian political elites have viewed nuclear armament as both unnecessary and counterproductive, given Brazil’s peaceful foreign policy, emphasis on multilateralism, and the Tlatelolco Treaty making Latin America a nuclear-weapons-free zone.—
Oliver Stuenkel,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
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The elite-to-college gymnastics transition is easier said than done.—
Benjamin Royer,
Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The 7-footer has been great for San Antonio after signing a four-year, $41 million contract this past summer, averaging personal bests in points, rebounds, assists and blocks per game.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
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Cameron Boozer had 17 points and season-bests in assists with nine and steals with four for Duke (13-1, 2-0).—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Blake Waddell was named the high school principal-elect of Lakeland Preparatory School.—
Brooke Muckerman,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
16 Jan. 2026
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He’s been nominated by the governor-elect of New Jersey to serve as the state’s next Department of Health commissioner, the county’s statement said.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Medical professional societies hold varying, relatively nonspecific opinions on how often people should eat deli meat.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
21 Jan. 2026
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Every society has to decide who gets in, on what terms, with what rights and with what responsibilities.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Priesthood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/priesthood. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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