churchman

noun

church·​man ˈchərch-mən How to pronounce churchman (audio)
Synonyms of churchmannext
1
: clergyman
2
: a member of a church

Examples of churchman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Not all birth rituals depended on the intercession of a saint or the authority of a churchman. — Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026 They were abetted by the Latin churchmen who forged the Donation of Constantine as the pope’s license to appoint a king of the Romans. — Dominic Green, WSJ, 22 Dec. 2023 Meanwhile, churchmen claimed the authority to restrain violence, encouraged just wars and threatened violent behaviors with spiritual sanctions. — Joëlle Rollo-Koster, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026 The good news about the release of Álvarez and the other 18 Catholic churchmen is tempered by the imposition of their exile and by the knowledge that other advocates for freedom in Nicaragua remain behind bars. — David Harsanyi, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for churchman

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of churchman was in the 15th century

Rhymes for churchman

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Browse Nearby Words

churchly
churchman
churchmanly
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Cite this Entry

“Churchman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/churchman. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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