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
In Colina, Chile, pilgrims on horseback took part in the Quasimodo Feast, a procession held the Sunday following Easter, accompanying priests giving communion to the poor.
—
ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
As faith leaders continue to toe the line between politics and religious teachings, Wenski said that priests and other clergy do not need to shy away from politics, but should not show bias toward one political party over another.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Two priests had raised their cassocks and were peeing into his path.
—Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
But a few days later, one of the priests — Father Pierre Rai, from the nearby village Qlayaa — was killed by an artillery shell which locals say was Israel's, and Israel says was Hezbollah's.
—Lauren Frayer, NPR, 5 Apr. 2026
You, obviously, and your -- and your brother priests are on Pentagon property taking orders, obviously, through the military chain of command.
—CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Pope Leo washed the feet of 12 priests on April 2, during the Mass of the Lord's Supper at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Ammonia damaged the paper preserving ancient chronicles (letopisi) of tales that served the needs of princes and priests at the expense of those beneath them or at their throats.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
During the service, the archbishop and priests carried a cross down the cathedral’s center aisle in an emotions-stirring moment for those who witnessed the traditional procession.
—Holly Andres, Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
As faith leaders continue to toe the line between politics and religious teachings, Wenski said that priests and other clergy do not need to shy away from politics, but should not show bias toward one political party over another.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Two priests had raised their cassocks and were peeing into his path.
—Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
But a few days later, one of the priests — Father Pierre Rai, from the nearby village Qlayaa — was killed by an artillery shell which locals say was Israel's, and Israel says was Hezbollah's.
—Lauren Frayer, NPR, 5 Apr. 2026
You, obviously, and your -- and your brother priests are on Pentagon property taking orders, obviously, through the military chain of command.
—CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Pope Leo washed the feet of 12 priests on April 2, during the Mass of the Lord's Supper at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Ammonia damaged the paper preserving ancient chronicles (letopisi) of tales that served the needs of princes and priests at the expense of those beneath them or at their throats.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
During the service, the archbishop and priests carried a cross down the cathedral’s center aisle in an emotions-stirring moment for those who witnessed the traditional procession.
—Holly Andres, Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for priests
Noun
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Until then, smuggling weed had been a grand adventure, an escape from a society that had just thrown Prager’s generation into a meat grinder in Vietnam, a repudiation of the crooked politicians and backward preachers and greedy capitalists who were running the world.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
17 Mar. 2026
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This type of apocalyptic thought has roots in the 19th century, when many American preachers turned toward more literal readings of the Bible.—
Shalom Goldman,
The Conversation,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Analysts and clerics are keen to stress the overall importance of this visit to the continent.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
12 Apr. 2026
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Leo spoke during a gathering of top bishops of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq, an Eastern Rite Catholic church whose clerics are in Rome to elect a new patriarch.—
Brian Dakss,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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When Magyar takes office next month, that will mean his untested government of inexperienced ministers.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
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Lula and Sánchez, along with ministers from their cabinets, are meeting at a former royal palace in Barcelona on Friday when they are expected to sign agreements regarding their economies, technology and social policies.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At the 1978 Lambeth Conference, Nigerian leadership opposed the recommendation to allow the ordination of women as deacons and priests, though the proposal sparked debate within the church.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
31 Mar. 2026
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Two thousand people are expected to attend, including numerous religious figures such as bishops, priests and deacons.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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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 24 Apr. 2026.
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