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
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 priests
His center has specialized in offering spiritual healing for priests troubled by various difficulties.
—
ABC News, 3 June 2026
Performers in traditional dress portray Inca nobility, priests and warriors, and the rituals are conducted in Quechua, the language of the Inca Empire and still widely spoken in the Andes today.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
Nearly 200 years ago, in May 1846, Catholic priests and bishops named the Virgin Mary patroness of the United States of America – specifically, under her title as the Immaculate Conception, referring to the belief she was conceived without sin.
—Bridget Retzloff, The Conversation, 2 June 2026
Churches in Atlanta and Maui, Hawaii, both cited the declining and aging population of their priests and congregations as an explanation of their order’s departures.
—Hannah Brueske, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026
For a macabre detour from all the warm Mediterranean charm, go down to the underground tomb of Chiesa di San Nicolò, where mummified priests line the crypt walls.
—Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 21 May 2026
The calendar was intended as art, not deception Galizia sees the photographs depicting priests as part of an artistic tradition, noting that no one watching a TV drama involving priests believes they are actually played by clergy.
—Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
Meanwhile, professionals that regularly give guidance are using AI in their practice, from lawyers to therapists and even priests.
—Ziv Epstein, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Leo met Thursday with German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, who — despite Fernández’s letter — recently recommended that priests in his archdiocese use the German guidelines as a basis for their pastoral care.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
ABC News, 3 June 2026
Performers in traditional dress portray Inca nobility, priests and warriors, and the rituals are conducted in Quechua, the language of the Inca Empire and still widely spoken in the Andes today.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
Nearly 200 years ago, in May 1846, Catholic priests and bishops named the Virgin Mary patroness of the United States of America – specifically, under her title as the Immaculate Conception, referring to the belief she was conceived without sin.
—Bridget Retzloff, The Conversation, 2 June 2026
Churches in Atlanta and Maui, Hawaii, both cited the declining and aging population of their priests and congregations as an explanation of their order’s departures.
—Hannah Brueske, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026
For a macabre detour from all the warm Mediterranean charm, go down to the underground tomb of Chiesa di San Nicolò, where mummified priests line the crypt walls.
—Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 21 May 2026
The calendar was intended as art, not deception Galizia sees the photographs depicting priests as part of an artistic tradition, noting that no one watching a TV drama involving priests believes they are actually played by clergy.
—Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
Meanwhile, professionals that regularly give guidance are using AI in their practice, from lawyers to therapists and even priests.
—Ziv Epstein, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Leo met Thursday with German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, who — despite Fernández’s letter — recently recommended that priests in his archdiocese use the German guidelines as a basis for their pastoral care.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for priests
Noun
-
In another era, Pratt would have been a welcome edition to the roster of bombastic Southern California preachers a la Aimee Semple McPherson, Chuck Smith and Gene Scott, as well as radio titans such as George Putnam and John Kobylt.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
During Muharram’s mourning period, Shiʿis gather in assemblies to hear preachers offer sermons, relate the life of Ḥusayn, and recount the events of the Battle of Karbala.—
Charles Preston,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The lawsuit echoes criticism that most commissioners are conservative Christian clerics and commentators; one is an Orthodox Jewish rabbi.—
Peter Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
The group’s spiritual leader, Ayatollah Mohammad-Taqi Mesbah-Yazdi, who died in 2021, was one of the country’s most radical clerics.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
The agreement was announced at a meeting of the three countries’ defense ministers in Singapore, with deliveries due next year.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
-
Followers quickly criticized the religious gathering highlighting administration members, ministers and politicians who identify with the MAGA movement, including Franklin Graham, Mike Johnson, Pete Hegseth and Marco Rubio.—
Lily Brown,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
While women cannot be ordained as priests or deacons, they are not forbidden from teaching the faith as theologians, catechists and scholars.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Churchgoers mourn beloved pastors People passing by the Pentecostal City Mission Church were overcome with emotion Friday after learning the horrific details of the crash that killed their beloved bishop and assistant pastor.—
Mark Prussin,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
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 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
