CHAPLAIN Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

chaplain

noun

Definition of chaplain

as in pastor

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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 chaplain The company also offers profit sharing and employs a corporate chaplain—benefits Smith said reflect his belief that a business should improve employees’ lives both inside and outside the workplace. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 29 July 2026 Researching his story, the museum discovered that Morais has a descendant who currently works as a prison chaplain in Pennsylvania. — Stephen Silver, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026 Florida has previously followed Texas on education policy, adopting a religious chaplain policy in 2024 a year after Texas did. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026 The service members outside those categories are the least likely to have a chaplain who knows their tradition. — Kerri J. Malloy, The Conversation, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for chaplain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chaplain

Noun

History Johann Ludwig Krapf, a German pastor and Anglican missionary, arrived to proselytize in what is now Kenya in 1844.

— Stephanie TriplettAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
Hersey — reporting on a clerk, a tailor’s widow, two doctors, a priest, and a pastor — gave US readers their first sense of what the new superweapon did to human bodies.

— Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of pastor

Noun

On April 18, King Frederik and Queen Mary's youngest children were confirmed by the royal confessor, Bishop Henrik Wigh-Poulsen, in Fredensborg Castle Church.

— Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
But everything that is said between the confessor and priest is confidential.

— Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 16 Apr. 2026

Definition of confessor

Noun

Pernkopf was a Nazi functionary who became dean of the medical faculty in 1938 and rector of the university in 1943.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
The Rectory As the name suggests, The Rectory was originally home to the rector of nearby All Saints’ Church and his 14 children.

— Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026

Definition of rector

Noun

The couple were married by a female vicar, per the Daily Mail.

— Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
Nearly every murder is solved by the end of the episode, but despite the unusual twist of having the village vicar team up with the police, the real action comes from the relationships among the characters.

— Pat Saperstein, Variety, 14 June 2026

Definition of vicar

Noun

The church’s origins date to the arrival of Christian missionaries in Mombasa in 1844, and its membership has long represented a diverse cross section of Kenyan society, with members of various ethnicities and social strata.

— Stephanie TriplettAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
Garner is one of numerous missionaries in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who offer the tours.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of missionary

Noun

Man of books and learning Several of the videos show Athanasius of Alexandria, a fourth-century bishop and theologian traditionally considered one of the church fathers.

— Denva Gallant, The Conversation, 8 July 2026
Juan José Gerardi Conedera (born December 27, 1922, Guatemala City, Guatemala—killed April 26, 1998, Guatemala City) was a Guatemalan Roman Catholic bishop and human rights activist.

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026

Definition of bishop

Noun

In 1976, the residence was redesigned as a retirement home for church missioners.

— George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
Kelley Hudlow, missioner for clergy formation for the diocese, told NBC affiliate WVTM of Birmingham soon after the shooting that church leaders were trying to learn more.

— Phil Helsel, NBC News, 17 June 2022

Definition of missioner

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“Chaplain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chaplain. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of chaplain

noun

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