abbess

noun

Definition of abbessnext
as in prioress

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 abbess It’s been nearly 14 centuries since the monastery founded by St. Hild of Whitby, a prominent abbess in 7th century Anglo-Saxon England, hosted the Northumbrian kingdom’s assembly to discuss the date on which its Christian church would celebrate Easter. — Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2023 Another early modern abbess, likely one Eadburg of Minster-in-Thanet, left behind a legacy of a different kind: her name and assorted doodles of humanoid figures, inscribed on the pages of an eighth-century Christian manuscript now housed at the University of Oxford. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Dec. 2022 In 1151, Richardis was appointed the abbess of a convent far to the north, near Bremen, where her brother happened to be the archbishop. — Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2023 This Eadburg taught another Englishwoman—Leoba, the abbess of Bischofsheim—how to read, according to an editorial in the Guardian. — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Dec. 2022 See All Example Sentences for abbess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abbess
  1. prioress
  2. nun
  3. anchoress
  4. novice
  5. monk
  6. priestess
  7. abbot
Noun
  • In response, the diocese said in a statement that the Holy See has acted toward healing the Arlington Carmel and the nuns in the community and not simply the former prioress and her former councilors.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2024
  • Matrix by Lauren Groff Currents of violence and devotion coalesce around Marie de France, a 17-year-old sent to be the new prioress of a 12th-century English abbey.
    — Mia Barzilay Freund, Vogue, 29 Mar. 2024
Definition of prioress
Noun
  • One of the major funders of the move is the Immaculate Heart Community, the independent group formed when the nuns in Kent’s order splintered from the Catholic Church.
    — Scarlet Cheng, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The department is actually headed by Sister Simona Brambilla, the first-ever nun named as prefect of a major Holy See office.
    — Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of nun
Noun
  • In the medieval church, women’s roles were limited – usually some form of enclosure and celibacy, such as becoming an anchoress walled up alone for life, or a nun in a classic convent.
    — Joelle Rollo-Koster, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Louise, a former anchoress, is her humble, tyrannical maid.
    — Hervé Guibert, Harper's Magazine, 2 Nov. 2024
Definition of anchoress
Noun
  • Despite his impressive resume that spans two Group of Seven central banks and major investment firms, Carney is a political novice.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Probationary employees aren't necessarily novices, though.
    — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of novice
Noun
  • Every morning, the monks gathered there, arranging themselves on the long stone benches, to discuss the matters of the day.
    — Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Unlike a synod of bishops, this will be a unique gathering of bishops, clergy, monks, friars, nuns and lay men and women.
    — Christopher Lamb, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of monk
Noun
  • Fox is a Wiccan priestess, but Circle Sanctuary is inclusive of a range of pagan traditions, focusing on a spiritual connection with nature.
    — Rose Conlon, NPR, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Someone who would later make his living from teaching the Course and selling his own tapes, lectures, and videos would have obvious mercenary reasons to construct the story of Helen as a true, reluctant priestess, the project as foreordained, and Jesus as the book’s authentic Voice.
    — Sheila Heti, Harper's Magazine, 2 Sep. 2024
Definition of priestess
Noun
  • King Sverre of Norway personally provided information to the writer, Icelandic abbot Karl Jónsson, and instructed him on the details of the saga, Brink added.
    — Hannah Peart, NBC News, 28 Oct. 2024
  • The abbot told him to begin every morning by performing exactly 108 bows, a meditation exercise in Korean Buddhism.
    — Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
Definition of abbot

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“Abbess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abbess. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of abbess for Spanish Speakers

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