as in preachers
a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church
searched for a priest who could perform an exorcism
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of priests
Many Catholics will attend a mass where the priests will smudge ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross.
—
Julia Gomez, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
In the case of the two priests under Jeż’s supervision, the Catholic Church did conduct internal investigations and reported the priests to authorities.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
On Wednesday morning, those priests were denied entry into the center, despite sending a letter ahead of time notifying the center of their arrival.
—Julianna Lozada, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Two thousand people are expected to attend, including numerous religious figures such as bishops, priests and deacons.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Early Christians cited menstruation as the reason for not allowing female deacons or priests.
—Megan Bryson, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2026
Plunging enrollment has dogged archdiocese schools for decades as tuition costs have climbed, while the number of free teachers (priests and nuns) has plummeted.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
The original Exorcist, based on the novel by William Peter Blatty and directed by William Friedkin, focused on the demonic possession of a young girl and the priests that try to save her.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Accompanied by ringing bells, ethereal music and chanting hymns, the priests gracefully moved their arms in unison, holding up various flaming brass lamps during the 45-minute serene and powerful ritual.
—Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026
Julia Gomez, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
In the case of the two priests under Jeż’s supervision, the Catholic Church did conduct internal investigations and reported the priests to authorities.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
On Wednesday morning, those priests were denied entry into the center, despite sending a letter ahead of time notifying the center of their arrival.
—Julianna Lozada, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Two thousand people are expected to attend, including numerous religious figures such as bishops, priests and deacons.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Early Christians cited menstruation as the reason for not allowing female deacons or priests.
—Megan Bryson, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2026
Plunging enrollment has dogged archdiocese schools for decades as tuition costs have climbed, while the number of free teachers (priests and nuns) has plummeted.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
The original Exorcist, based on the novel by William Peter Blatty and directed by William Friedkin, focused on the demonic possession of a young girl and the priests that try to save her.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Accompanied by ringing bells, ethereal music and chanting hymns, the priests gracefully moved their arms in unison, holding up various flaming brass lamps during the 45-minute serene and powerful ritual.
—Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for priests
Noun
-
Through the program, Houston learned about history, especially African American history, and met preachers and evangelists in the community.—
Kamal Morgan
February 5,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Marcos briefly suspended habeas corpus and blamed his sclerotic economy on the agitations of leftist rebels, students, journalists, and preachers.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The republic has been ruled by clerics since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.—
Max Burman,
NBC news,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The men will join a long procession of clerics in the walk to the main altar.—
Tony Aiello,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But government ministers made clear the intent was to increase settlement and entrench Israel’s grip on the land.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
In Chicago, ministers have been hit with projectiles and violently arrested.—
Laura E. Alexander,
The Conversation,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Two thousand people are expected to attend, including numerous religious figures such as bishops, priests and deacons.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Early Christians cited menstruation as the reason for not allowing female deacons or priests.—
Megan Bryson,
The Conversation,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
By visiting with the sick and shut-in, helping the bereaved, ministering to the incarcerated, always being willing to open the doors of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church to more people, teaching theology to other pastors and more, Thornhill was a pastor.—
Sophia Tiedge,
jsonline.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Bhikkhu Pannakara, the leader of the Walk for Peace, thanked the monks' community, the governors, pastors, reverends and local law enforcement officers who welcomed them along their way.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Priests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/priests. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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