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 When a disgraced priest begins having supernatural visions of the missing women, agents Mulder and Scully come out of retirement to take on another case full of mysteries and unexplained events. — Brett Tingley, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2026 The British horror film stars Oscar-winner Vanessa Redgrave and Oliver Reed, telling the story of Urbain Grandier, a 17th-century priest who was accused of witchcraft. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026 Sequels, spin-offs, and remakes abounded, many of them starring Lam Ching-ying, who played the Taoist priest in Lau’s original. — Katie Rife, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026 In a video later shared to her TikTok, the priest reaches out a hand with a piece of cloth attached. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026 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
  • Later in the service, the choir would sing a foot-stomping, hand-clapping rendition of a gospel song that set the tone for the preacher to follow with his gospel message.
    — Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The story begins in 1810, when Johann Wilhelm Ebel, a young cleric who had studied at the University of Königsberg, returned to the city as a teacher and preacher.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of preacher
Noun
  • The story begins in 1810, when Johann Wilhelm Ebel, a young cleric who had studied at the University of Königsberg, returned to the city as a teacher and preacher.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • But both Australian clerics successfully appealed their convictions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of cleric
Noun
  • Such details include McCartney’s bare feet and opposite stride and the other members’ attire (Lennon’s white supposedly represents a clergyman, Starr’s black a mourner, and Harrison’s denim a gravedigger).
    — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 July 2026
  • Robin, our hero, is the son of a country clergyman.
    — John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
Definition of clergyman
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
  • Ukraine's former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov called for an election Tuesday despite the country's prolonged war with Russia, in what is seen as the largest challenge to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's power since the start of the conflict.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Wars cannot be fought on ideology alone – a truism that perhaps led to the firebrand former defense minister’s departure, after months of clashes and refusing to deal with the army top brass, as Zelensky describes it.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of minister
Noun
  • This summer, archaeologists uncovered a 1,700-year-old Byzantine city in Egypt, complete with a church and a deacon's home.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Church deacons want it to be called Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, its previous name.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of deacon
Noun
  • In fact, someone is hoping to kill the pastor in order to tie up loose ends.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The situation escalated during a July 2022 mission trip when the accuser confided in a student pastor.
    — John Lynch, Arkansas Online, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of pastor
Noun
  • However, a reverend in Zambia — Billiance Chondwe — says he's noticed a change.
    — Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 18 June 2026
  • Spirtual foundation Astara, where Guidera reportedly served as a reverend, paid tribute to the late actor in an emotional social media post over the weekend.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 9 June 2026
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 23 Aug. 2026.

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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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