defrock

verb

de·​frock (ˌ)dē-ˈfräk How to pronounce defrock (audio)
defrocked; defrocking; defrocks
Synonyms of defrocknext

transitive verb

1
: to deprive of the right to exercise the functions of office
a defrocked priest
2
: to remove from a position of honor or privilege

Synonyms of defrock

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Examples of defrock in a Sentence

the movie's director was defrocked for going way over budget
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.
The priest who married them was really defrocked. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026 Baker remained in the ministry until 2000, when he was defrocked, church records show. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024 Kiesle was finally defrocked in 1987. — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026 David Kerr, a spokesman for the Diocese of Lansing, said now that DeLorenzo has pleaded guilty he will be formally defrocked. — Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 27 Apr. 2023 See All Example Sentences for defrock

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of defrock was in 1600

Rhymes for defrock

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Browse Nearby Words

defriend
defrock
defrost
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Cite this Entry

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

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