as in aristocracy
individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class
a gathering of Mafia dons that was in effect a convocation of the nation's priesthood of organized crime
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Recent Examples of priesthood
Long before the papacy, even before his first steps toward priesthood, for Jorge Mario Bergoglio – the boy who would go on to become Pope Francis – there was his hometown sports club, Buenos Aires’ San Lorenzo de Almagro.
—
Carmen M. Nanko-Fernández, The Conversation, 9 May 2025
When Pope Francis convened Roman Catholic bishops at the Vatican in 2019 to discuss the ordination of married men in remote parts of South America, the meeting raised expectations about the possibility of revolutionizing the celibate priesthood.
—Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Born in Argentina, Jorge Mario Bergoglio first joined the Catholic priesthood in 1969.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025
Overall, wrote Kate McElwee for the National Catholic Register in 2023, the cause of female priesthood did not advance far under Francis’ leadership.
—Christopher Parker, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for priesthood
Carmen M. Nanko-Fernández, The Conversation, 9 May 2025
When Pope Francis convened Roman Catholic bishops at the Vatican in 2019 to discuss the ordination of married men in remote parts of South America, the meeting raised expectations about the possibility of revolutionizing the celibate priesthood.
—Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Born in Argentina, Jorge Mario Bergoglio first joined the Catholic priesthood in 1969.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025
Overall, wrote Kate McElwee for the National Catholic Register in 2023, the cause of female priesthood did not advance far under Francis’ leadership.
—Christopher Parker, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for priesthood
Recent Examples of Synonyms for priesthood
Noun
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The rise of the bias cut was a silhouette on which Robbins wanted to focus, imbuing the fluid style with elements of luxury and glamour intrinsic to the aristocracy.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
12 Sep. 2025
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Many members of Putin’s aristocracy continue to hold out hope that after the end of hostilities, everything will become, if not different, then at least milder.—
ANDREI KOLESNIKOV,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The divide between the Korean landed elite and the peasant masses that predated Japanese rule grew deeper and more complex as a result of colonial policies.—
Kornel Chang
September 19,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
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Like bees to honey, many of the global elite are choosing to relocate to Madrid for these reasons and more.—
Kissa Castaneda,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Kyle Schwarber is in the midst of what may be the most explosive offensive season of his MLB career, already setting personal bests with 53 home runs and 128 RBI.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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Overall, Moniak has posted personal bests in games (127), runs (57), hits (109), triples (eight), homers (22) and RBIs (65) in 2025.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Representative-elect James Walkinshaw speaks to reporters in Fairfax, Virginia on September 5, 2025.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
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These Democrats headed for Omaha after Mayoral-elect John Ewing (D-NE) beat Jean Stothert, the longest serving incumbent mayor in the country.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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With our current hyperpolarized society, changes are not likely to be enacted, especially because the amendment process is arduous and is intentionally difficult, requiring a broad consensus that reflects the gravity of changing our fundamental law.—
Lynn Schmidt,
Twin Cities,
19 Sep. 2025
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Authorities also found a bloody fingerprint on the truck’s tailgate, as well as Decker’s dog, which was taken to a humane society for care.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Priesthood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/priesthood. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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