as in preachers
a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church
searched for a priest who could perform an exorcism
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of priests
Survivors have fought for a full public account of priests, with San Francisco the only diocese in the state that has not released such a list of clergy abuse offenders.
—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
More than 680 priests served in the diocese during the 75 years covered in the investigation.
—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
While the Catholic Church takes no official position on nuclear energy, bishops and priests across the archipelago have stressed the need for ecological stewardship, and a moral responsibility to prioritize human life over profit.
—
Lorela U. Sandoval,
Christian Science Monitor,
25 June 2026
Many progressive priests and community members reject these exclusionary rules and quietly defy them.
—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Just books and plays, and an asceticism associated with the priests Jim would often play.
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Carl Kurlander,
Deadline,
13 June 2026
His center has specialized in offering spiritual healing for priests troubled by various difficulties.
—
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Performers in traditional dress portray Inca nobility, priests and warriors, and the rituals are conducted in Quechua, the language of the Inca Empire and still widely spoken in the Andes today.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
Nearly 200 years ago, in May 1846, Catholic priests and bishops named the Virgin Mary patroness of the United States of America – specifically, under her title as the Immaculate Conception, referring to the belief she was conceived without sin.
—
Bridget Retzloff,
The Conversation,
2 June 2026
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
More than 680 priests served in the diocese during the 75 years covered in the investigation.
—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
While the Catholic Church takes no official position on nuclear energy, bishops and priests across the archipelago have stressed the need for ecological stewardship, and a moral responsibility to prioritize human life over profit.
—
Lorela U. Sandoval,
Christian Science Monitor,
25 June 2026
Many progressive priests and community members reject these exclusionary rules and quietly defy them.
—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Just books and plays, and an asceticism associated with the priests Jim would often play.
—
Carl Kurlander,
Deadline,
13 June 2026
His center has specialized in offering spiritual healing for priests troubled by various difficulties.
—
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Performers in traditional dress portray Inca nobility, priests and warriors, and the rituals are conducted in Quechua, the language of the Inca Empire and still widely spoken in the Andes today.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
Nearly 200 years ago, in May 1846, Catholic priests and bishops named the Virgin Mary patroness of the United States of America – specifically, under her title as the Immaculate Conception, referring to the belief she was conceived without sin.
—
Bridget Retzloff,
The Conversation,
2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for priests
Noun
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On June 27, 2026, at Trinity Pride Fest in Fort Worth, Texas, street preachers Richard Penkoski and David Grisham were subjected to multiple violations of their First Amendment rights while attempting to preach on public property.
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Son of a Preacherman, Choi's latest work, is an autobiographical look at the writer's upbringing in a family of preachers.
Noun
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Funeral ceremonies are expected to begin in Tehran and move to Qom, a stronghold of many senior Shiite clerics, then to Mashhad, Khamenei's birthplace.
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The procession will move to Qom, a stronghold of many senior Shiite clerics, and then to Mashhad, Khamenei’s birthplace.
Noun
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While theology and ministry studies were designated as nonprofessional, the master of divinity degree often pursued by eventual pastors or ministers does retain professional status.
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There were few professional doctors, so healthcare came from midwives, bonesetters who also cut hair and removed cataracts, ministers, and community members, including apothecaries and plantation root doctors who were knowledgeable about plants.
Noun
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Her parents, Baptist deacons who ultimately left the church over its refusal to ordain women, raised their children to wrestle with such questions.
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While women cannot be ordained as priests or deacons, they are not forbidden from teaching the faith as theologians, catechists and scholars.
Noun
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Churchgoers mourn beloved pastors People passing by the Pentecostal City Mission Church were overcome with emotion Friday after learning the horrific details of the crash that killed their beloved bishop and assistant pastor.
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By visiting with the sick and shut-in, helping the bereaved, ministering to the incarcerated, always being willing to open the doors of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church to more people, teaching theology to other pastors and more, Thornhill was a pastor.
Noun
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While standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Bhikkhu Pannakara, the leader of the Walk for Peace, thanked the monks' community, the governors, pastors, reverends and local law enforcement officers who welcomed them along their way.
Cite this Entry
“Priests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/priests. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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