as in priest
a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church
my cousin was married by his uncle, who is also a deacon in his church
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Recent Examples of deacon
Last December, they were ordained to be transitional deacons by Cardinal Robert McElroy, who was then head of the San Diego diocese and is both a controversial and consequential figure in the Catholic church.
—
Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025
As eight priests, two deacons and the Milwaukee archbishop celebrated Mass at the altar, Grunwaldt skirted the back, quietly keeping the operation running.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 26 Nov. 2025
Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchreae.
—Belinda Luscombe, Time, 10 Nov. 2025
In 1694, Jonathan Swift is ordained a deacon in the Church of Ireland.
—Literary Hub, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deacon
Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025
As eight priests, two deacons and the Milwaukee archbishop celebrated Mass at the altar, Grunwaldt skirted the back, quietly keeping the operation running.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 26 Nov. 2025
Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchreae.
—Belinda Luscombe, Time, 10 Nov. 2025
In 1694, Jonathan Swift is ordained a deacon in the Church of Ireland.
—Literary Hub, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deacon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deacon
Noun
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What to expect at the installation Mass The longer-than-normal Mass will have a large attendance with many religious figures such as bishops, priests, deacons and other guests.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
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Hundreds of visitors have visited the chapel in recent days to take photos of the image, the parish priest Father Daniele Micheletti said.—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Theirs is a community so small that Jacob does triple duty as its sheriff, preacher and undertaker, roles that circumstances will shortly consolidate in unhappy fashion.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Jim Sawyer, a gentlemanly preacher and city council member whose public service had been winding towards a peaceful conclusion, was asked to replace him.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Sheen, a pioneering 20th century TV evangelist, had his 2019 ceremony canceled with just weeks’ notice due to concerns about his tenure as Rochester bishop.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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This United States Conference of Catholic Bishops call for an hour of prayer, which can be offered publicly or privately, went out to every bishop, priest and the laity, according to Rockford Diocese spokesperson Penny Wiegert.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 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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While taking part in a procession in town, on the Feast Day for St. Francis, Joe suddenly rose up into the air, terrifying himself and the other clergymen.—
Christian Wiman,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Though discreet, their budding romance was no secret to her parents or the pastor.—
Yolanda Harris,
AJC.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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The pastor helmed a trust, of which Nathan Gingles was a co-trustee.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deacon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deacon. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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