as in clergy
the group ordained to perform clerical functions in the Christian church
a nation in which the first estate had long held a privileged position
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first estate
Noun
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Following Trump’s latest victory, White-Cain became the first female clergy member to pray at a presidential inauguration and now serves as the first female primary spiritual adviser to a U.S. president.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025 -
Ukraine’s foreign ministry in April also accused Russia of religious oppression in occupied territories, where hundreds of churches have been destroyed, and some 67 clergy members killed since the start of the war.—
Caitlin McFall,
FOXNews.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Going from local church to being on tour in front of thousands of people overnight was a dream come true and, in the same season, writing with all my heroes.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
17 June 2025
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Ten years ago in Charleston, South Carolina, a white supremacist gunned down nine people at a Bible study inside Mother Emanuel AME Church, the oldest Black church in the South.—
Mark Strassmann,
CBS News,
17 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“First estate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first%20estate. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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