mendicant 1 of 2

noun

ˈmen-di-kənt How to pronounce mendicant (audio)
Definition of mendicantnext
as in beggar
a person who lives by public begging those wretched mendicants on the streets of Calcutta

Synonyms & Similar Words

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mendicant

2 of 2

adjective

as in monastic

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mendicant
Noun
An internationally famous leader who lived a mendicant’s life. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026 Augustinians are mendicants, like the Franciscans, Dominicans, and Carmelites. — Sonari Glinton, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Adjective
The abrupt appearance and disappearance of the mendicant pilgrim is part of her power. — Seyward Darby, Longreads, 5 Apr. 2023 One was that literary journalism anthology the mendicant had flipped through. — Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mendicant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mendicant
  1. beggar
  2. monastic
  3. conventual
  4. religious
  5. divine
  6. sacramental
Noun
  • Gobert was chief among the beggars imploring his teammates for a shred of consistency on that end of the floor.
    — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 27 Apr. 2026
  • So disguised as a beggar, Odysseus shows up at his palace, and he is not treated very nicely by the suitors who have camped out in his house.
    — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of beggar
Adjective
  • This results in highly architectural and ornate garments and textiles built through tension, geometry, and monastic focus.
    — Catherine Tansey, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 June 2026
  • There’s something monastic about the way he’s taken on Red Lobster.
    — Rita Omokha, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026
Definition of monastic
Adjective
  • Martin entered the Conventual Franciscan Friars Novitiate in Ellicott City at age 17 after graduating from Curley.
    — Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 9 Apr. 2024
  • But degraded conventual forces could drive Putin to other means of exerting force.
    — Matt Seyler, ABC News, 10 May 2022
Definition of conventual
Adjective
  • Having witnessed centuries of religious warfare in Europe, when millions were killed for their beliefs, the framers took pains to make sure nothing like that would happen here.
    — Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Supporters argue that the gatherings represent a form of devotion untethered from rigid rituals and the gatekeeping normally associated with temples or religious processions.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of religious
Adjective
  • Signs of divine intervention – or perhaps a very human conspiracy?
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026
  • The bell was joined by a container for herbs and medicines depicting the head of Ofoe, a divine emissary of the deity Ogie’uwu.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of divine
Adjective
  • The sacramental palms can be kept at home and returned to church or nature, but should not to be thrown away, the Archdiocese noted.
    — Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Of these, Anglicans traditionally hold only baptism and the Eucharist as sacraments instituted by Christ and regard the others as sacramental rites.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of sacramental

Browse Nearby Words

menders
mendicant
mendicants
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Cite this Entry

“Mendicant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mendicant. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mendicant

Nglish: Translation of mendicant for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mendicant

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