as in priest
a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church
a clergyperson of your choice would be the best one to advise on this spiritual matter
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Recent Examples of clergyperson
What makes the family tradition sustainable in central Massachusetts, where the Vallelis now live, is a pastor-sharing arrangement between two congregations that couldn’t afford a full-time clergyperson on their own.
—
G. Jeffrey MacDonald, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2020
G. Jeffrey MacDonald, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clergyperson
Noun
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Pastors, priests, rabbis, and imams are in the streets, courthouses, and places of worship defending immigrant communities.—
David Ostendorf,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
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Some viewed the discovery as a divine gift, while a local priest chastised the explorers for unearthing Satan, saying the blowout was God’s punishment.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The television series emphasizes the role of Michael Woroniecki, a controversial Christian preacher from Grand Rapids, in the family's lives, though Woroniecki denies any influence.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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What Twin wouldn’t give right now for her own hands to be her mother’s or a preacher’s.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The clergyman connected Webster with another church member who was a criminal-defense lawyer.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
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With intact skin and tissue, the mummified body, thought to be an 18th century clergyman, had drawn speculation of healing properties and even rumors of being poisoned.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
23 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The family had been relying on food and water delivery from a local pastor.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC news,
31 Jan. 2026
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The pastor told Lemon and the others to leave the church.—
Mara H. Gottfried,
Twin Cities,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clergyperson.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clergyperson. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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