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
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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
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Comprising more than 300 folktales and legends from northern Norway, including many from the coastal Sámi and the Skolt Sámi of eastern Finland, this anthology shares narratives told by fishers, farmers, reindeer herders, lay preachers and teachers.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
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Before God, Puritan preachers taught, all human callings, all useful work, is equal.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Noun
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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
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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
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The defining moment of his early political career was his battle against Patrick Henry’s Bill Establishing a Provision for Teachers of the Christian Religion, which would have used a property tax to fund Christian ministers in Virginia.—
Jeffrey Rosen,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
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Dodd proposed her father's birthday, June 5, as Father's Day, but ministers selected the third Sunday in June to allow more time after Mother’s Day to prepare their sermons.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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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
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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 11 Jun. 2026.
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