priest

noun

ˈprēst How to pronounce priest (audio)
Definition of priestnext
as in preacher
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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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 priest All guests are expected to have candles since the priest lights a fire and then spreads it to all in attendance. — Anna Halkidis, Parents, 1 Apr. 2025 There a priest led them in a whispered prayer, his voice barely audible over the sound of crashing waves; the tide was high. — Prianka Srinivasan Matthew Abbott, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025 Catholic priests fiercely denounced Evangelina's efforts. — Laura Gómez, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2025 Nearly a century ago, physicist and Catholic priest Georges Lemaître first put forward the idea of the Big Bang–the idea that the universe began as an explosion and has been expanding ever since. — Alex Knapp, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for priest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for priest
  1. preacher
  2. cleric
  3. clergyman
  4. bishop
  5. minister
  6. deacon
  7. pastor
  8. reverend
Noun
  • On the March 30 episode of the show, teenage contestant — and aspiring preacher — Canaan James Hill took the judges to church with his audition for the show, leaving Lionel Richie in particular stunned.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2025
  • And the battles continue under Johan’s 58-year-old nephew Erik af Klint—named after his grandfather—a medical doctor and Christian preacher who heads the board today.
    — Jay Cheshes, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of preacher
Noun
  • In May 2023, Attorney General Kwame Raoul published a 696-page report, which found that over about seven decades, at least 1,997 children have been abused by 451 Catholic clerics and religious brothers across the state’s dioceses.
    — Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Catholic clerics and laity have faithfully gathered each night in St. Peter’s Square to recite the rosary for the sake of the pope, being led in their prayer by members of the College of Cardinals.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of cleric
Noun
  • Kirchner had, a year earlier, backed sanctions for clergymen who publicly opposed the government’s human rights policies, including his decision to annul laws pardoning dictatorship-era atrocities.
    — Federico Perelmuter, The Dial, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The emails, sent from Saints accounts, don’t specify which clergymen were removed from the list or why.
    — Brett Martel, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
Definition of clergyman
Noun
  • On a recent day, village elders, the province's Roman Catholic bishop and political figures filled the benches of a reception hall, waiting to meet with the man who will likely chart the future of Syrian Druze.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Pope Francis has named an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore the next bishop, or top official, of the Diocese of Providence, a 153-year-old ecclesiastical territory of the Roman Catholic Church.
    — Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of bishop
Noun
  • The country’s minister of tourism and sports said that while more than 1,000 hotel rooms were canceled in the immediate aftermath of the quake, the impact of the natural disaster on tourism is expected to be short term in nature, according to the report.
    — Monica Pitrelli, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Since the summer of 2023, more than a dozen high-ranking figures in China’s defense establishment have been ousted in a sweeping purge that focused on the country’s nuclear force and equipment procurement, including two defense ministers promoted to the CMC by Xi.
    — Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of minister
Noun
  • Dixon, an administrator with the Kane County Sheriff’s Office and a deacon at Second Baptist Church, is seeking a third term.
    — Courier-News, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Peter & Paul parishioners say are flatly false, including an unfounded claim that the deacon has a criminal record and was once sentenced to 30 days in jail.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of deacon
Noun
  • The highlight is an interactive Easter story led by Village Church’s senior pastor, the Rev. Jack Baca.
    — Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Tim Overton is a pastor and currently serves as chairman of the Delaware County Republican Party in Indiana.
    — Tim Overton, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of pastor
Noun
  • Preserving community gems Michael Major is a reverend at Zion Baptist Church in Philadelphia.
    — Buffy Gorrilla, NPR, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Most of the cards feature gothic-style fonts, limited colors like black and red, and some were even sent by reverends or churches.
    — Paul du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
Definition of reverend

Phrases Containing priest

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pries
priest
priestess
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Cite this Entry

“Priest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/priest. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on priest

Nglish: Translation of priest for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about priest

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