as in church
the people of a religion who are not priests, ministers, etc.
a member of the laity The laity has played an important role in the history of the church.
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Recent Examples of laity
To believe that churches can direct the laity on how to vote, whether for members of the school board or for the president of the country, is to deny the Christian teaching that all humans are made in the image of God and can understand and follow his will themselves.
—
Esau McCaulley, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
Yet many donors—ministers, nonprofit leaders, and faithful laity—gave to support orthodox Christian training rooted in biblical fidelity, not the progressive agendas dominating mainline seminaries.
—The Rev. Jake Dell, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2025
Examples of some of these key changes under Francis were revised procedures for an assembly of bishops known as a synod by allowing women and laity to participate, and his appointment of women to lead certain Vatican agencies.
—Liam Adams, USA Today, 12 May 2025
As during the Protestant Reformation, the theological divide has extended beyond the clergy to the laity and the common faithful in the pew.
—Massimo Faggioli, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2018
See All Example Sentences for laity
Esau McCaulley, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
Yet many donors—ministers, nonprofit leaders, and faithful laity—gave to support orthodox Christian training rooted in biblical fidelity, not the progressive agendas dominating mainline seminaries.
—The Rev. Jake Dell, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2025
Examples of some of these key changes under Francis were revised procedures for an assembly of bishops known as a synod by allowing women and laity to participate, and his appointment of women to lead certain Vatican agencies.
—Liam Adams, USA Today, 12 May 2025
As during the Protestant Reformation, the theological divide has extended beyond the clergy to the laity and the common faithful in the pew.
—Massimo Faggioli, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2018
See All Example Sentences for laity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laity
Noun
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No services tonight due to a fire at the church building.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Since then, the case has been tied up in court as Morris and the church attempt to agree on an arbitrator.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Looney said Gutierrez, who was a member of his parish, had his infant son baptized a month before the hostage crisis.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2026
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Financially, the church has seen its parish giving increase 21% over the past decade, but the trends of shrinking religious participation have been building across the country for decades.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Maundy Thursday services were held at First Presbyterian Church of Elgin and Good Friday with the African American Christian Ministers Alliance, a group of Black pastors and their congregations in the area, and their counterparts from the Aurora-area at Second Baptist in Elgin.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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The uncertain future of the landmark building has divided the congregation and raised alarm bells for preservationists who have seen generations of Atlanta’s historic buildings razed and redeveloped.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laity. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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