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
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
Years passed and Bergoglio indeed opted for priesthood.
—Claudia Rebaza, CNN Money, 22 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
Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Years passed and Bergoglio indeed opted for priesthood.
—Claudia Rebaza, CNN Money, 22 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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In his letters, Chekhov could sound like Ivan, lambasting the blinkered privilege of Russia’s aristocracy and the state of poverty in which most of the people were mired in.—
Philip Metres
July 30,
Literary Hub,
30 July 2025
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Wealthy Americans, meanwhile, some flush with robber-baron fortunes, flocked to the house to acquire the sheen of aristocracy by association.—
Leslie Camhi,
New Yorker,
25 July 2025
Noun
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Though Indian elites long viewed the US with suspicion, relations between the two countries have improved in recent decades — particularly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, with Washington viewing the Asian nation as a potential bulwark against a rising China.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Freedom: Conservatives prize personal liberty, which should include the freedom to generate your own power — a right already exercised by ordinary homeowners, not just elites.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Napheesa Collier finished with 25 points and nine rebounds, Courtney Williams added 23 points and five assists, and the Lynx had season bests in points, rebounds and free throws in dominating Las Vegas 109-78.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
26 July 2025
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise quarterback is coming off the best year of his career, which began with a life-changing contract, continued with the birth of his first daughter and wrapped with personal bests of a 10-7 record, 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
Noun
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If the high court elects to take up the case, the justices would be tasked with asking if such bans on adults ages 18 through 20 from purchasing firearms are legal.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
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Members of Iranian paramilitary women forces (Basij) wear masks of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US elect Donald Trump with a red cross of it, during an anti-Israeli rally to show their solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese people, in Tehran, January 10, 2025.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 June 2025
Noun
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In the post-Yugoslavia society, there are still traditionalistic values.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
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The film tells the story of a new Ireland through its vibrant music scene, capturing a post-colonial society where folk music reflects both the weight of historical trauma and the hope of a brighter future.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Priesthood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/priesthood. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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