as in ministerial
of, relating to, or characteristic of the clergy
majestically robed in priestly garments
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Recent Examples of priestly
The priestly fraternity, named in honor of the anti-modernist Pope St. Pius X, was founded in 1970 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre as a response to liturgical reforms made in the Second Vatican Council (also known as Vatican II).
—
Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 2025
One thing to consider, however, is that Leviticus is devoted to priestly concerns.
—Jacob F. Love, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2025
The southern tradition is rooted partly in a century-old revolt against the privileges granted to Brahmans, the priestly caste that sits at the top of Hinduism’s ancient social hierarchy.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
Francis has long made prison ministry an important part of his priestly vocation and has made several visits to Rebibbia since becoming pope in 2013 while also including prison visits in many of his foreign trips.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for priestly
Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 2025
One thing to consider, however, is that Leviticus is devoted to priestly concerns.
—Jacob F. Love, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2025
The southern tradition is rooted partly in a century-old revolt against the privileges granted to Brahmans, the priestly caste that sits at the top of Hinduism’s ancient social hierarchy.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
Francis has long made prison ministry an important part of his priestly vocation and has made several visits to Rebibbia since becoming pope in 2013 while also including prison visits in many of his foreign trips.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for priestly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for priestly
Adjective
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The plaintiffs claim his acts denied access to justice, violated ministerial duties and undermined the public’s trust.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Sep. 2025
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Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, speaks at the opening ceremony of the China-CELAC Forum ministerial meeting at the Great Hall of People in Beijing on May 13 and U.S. President Donald Trump at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The designer debuted a new top-handle handbag, Le Valerie, named after his late mother, and pastoral variations on espadrilles.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
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Various studies including a recent research paper by the International Organization for Sustainable Development have stated that Chad is highly susceptible to desertification, with the Sahara Desert advancing threatening pastoral and agricultural communities.—
Aniebiet Ntui,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That warrant was later corrected after a clerical error listed Menendez Abdala’s birth year incorrectly.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
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The Houthis are led by a family of clerical megalomaniacs who have been prophesying apocalyptic war since the early 2000s.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Priestly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/priestly. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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