as in priest
a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church
clerics were sharply divided on the issue of whether the war was morally justified
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Recent Examples of cleric
In 1992, the government pressured Muslim clerics to declare a holy war against Nuba who opposed the regime.
—
Nicolas Niarchos, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Other hard-line clerics in Iran have issued similar edicts.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
If, however, Khamenei is assassinated, most likely a hardline cleric will take control — to maintain continuity after a violent end to Khamenei's rule.
—Jackie Northam, NPR, 9 July 2025
The crowd greeted the cleric in turn with cheers and chants.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleric
Nicolas Niarchos, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Other hard-line clerics in Iran have issued similar edicts.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
If, however, Khamenei is assassinated, most likely a hardline cleric will take control — to maintain continuity after a violent end to Khamenei's rule.
—Jackie Northam, NPR, 9 July 2025
The crowd greeted the cleric in turn with cheers and chants.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleric
Noun
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And, over time, fewer new European priests arrived in Kongo, making translation less necessary.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
12 July 2025
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One particular enemy of Gauguin’s was Bishop Martin, a Catholic priest on Hiva Oa who did his best to stomp out local custom, forbidding tattooing, Polynesian dancing, and the customary practice of polyandry.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
Noun
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The dynamic and popular preacher discomfited many in his parish with his increasingly pointed critiques of inequities and corruption in the city.—
Time,
Time,
22 July 2025
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The Atlanta preacher was visiting the city to march alongside striking workers.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cleric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleric. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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