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
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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The Marquess of Hartington and a member of the British aristocracy.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
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But the rest of the aristocracy still favors sons over daughters.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Then there was an urban-rural divide, the urban elite versus the rural majority in the country.—
John Shattuck,
The Conversation,
27 Mar. 2026
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San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a darling of the Silicon Valley tech elite, polled at 3%.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But Pickens wants a long-term deal, and 2025 brought lots of career-bests for him in a contract year.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
All these people in their Sunday best.—
Will Croxton,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Congratulations to the new members-elect.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2026
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Louis Koo enters the franchise in the 2017 thread as Chief Executive-elect Adrian Yip Shun-ting.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Named for the Astor matriarch who shaped New York society, these suites feature a welcome foyer, separate living room, king bedroom, walk-in wardrobe, and that same stunning marble bathroom.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
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Institutional trust acts like a health multiplier for society.—
Dr. Howard A. Selinger,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Priesthood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/priesthood. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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