as in ministerial
of, relating to, or characteristic of the clergy
majestically robed in priestly garments
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
Landau, in Seoul for a Korea-US vice foreign ministerial meeting, said that the 316 South Koreans who returned home Friday on a chartered jet after being detained in Georgia will face no disadvantage when re-entering the US, according to South Korea’s foreign ministry.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Despite being the first voice in nearly every emergency, dispatchers are often classified as clerical staff instead of first responders.—
Jason Truppi,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The Social Security Administration bases its COLA each year on average annual increases in the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W) from July through September.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Priestly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/priestly. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share