PRIESTS Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

priests

noun

plural of priest

as in preachers

a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church searched for a priest who could perform an exorcism

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Recent Examples of priests Bells tolled through the misty Alpine mountain valley as hundreds of priests walked two by two to the altar under a tent to start the service and then again at the end. — Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 More than 680 priests served in the diocese during the 75 years covered in the investigation. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 25 June 2026 Six bishops and hundreds of priests belonging to the society have been excommunicated. — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 2 July 2026 In places such as Taiwan, Daoist priests can be seen today conducting rituals at community temples and annual festivals. — Michael Naparstek, The Conversation, 6 July 2026 In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI upheld the validity of the Latin Rite and urged priests to offer such a Mass if their parishioners demanded it. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 The July 2 decree said the two bishops leading the unauthorized ordination, held in Switzerland on July 1, had been excommunicated, along with the four priests who had become new bishops, which was widely expected. — Joshua McElwee, USA Today, 2 July 2026 While the Catholic Church takes no official position on nuclear energy, bishops and priests across the archipelago have stressed the need for ecological stewardship, and a moral responsibility to prioritize human life over profit. — Lorela U. Sandoval, Christian Science Monitor, 25 June 2026 Without bishops, De Piante said, the SSPX would eventually have no priests to celebrate Mass, hear confessions or administer the sacraments that members believe are central to their spiritual lives. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for priests

Noun

On June 27, 2026, at Trinity Pride Fest in Fort Worth, Texas, street preachers Richard Penkoski and David Grisham were subjected to multiple violations of their First Amendment rights while attempting to preach on public property.

— Emily Holshouser July 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026
Son of a Preacherman, Choi's latest work, is an autobiographical look at the writer's upbringing in a family of preachers.

— Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026

Definition of preachers

Noun

Funeral ceremonies are expected to begin in Tehran and move to Qom, a stronghold of many senior Shiite clerics, then to Mashhad, Khamenei's birthplace.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 June 2026
The procession will move to Qom, a stronghold of many senior Shiite clerics, and then to Mashhad, Khamenei’s birthplace.

— Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026

Definition of clerics

Noun

While theology and ministry studies were designated as nonprofessional, the master of divinity degree often pursued by eventual pastors or ministers does retain professional status.

— Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 2 July 2026
There were few professional doctors, so healthcare came from midwives, bonesetters who also cut hair and removed cataracts, ministers, and community members, including apothecaries and plantation root doctors who were knowledgeable about plants.

— Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026

Definition of ministers

Noun

Her parents, Baptist deacons who ultimately left the church over its refusal to ordain women, raised their children to wrestle with such questions.

— Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 30 June 2026
While women cannot be ordained as priests or deacons, they are not forbidden from teaching the faith as theologians, catechists and scholars.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026

Definition of deacons

Noun

Churchgoers mourn beloved pastors People passing by the Pentecostal City Mission Church were overcome with emotion Friday after learning the horrific details of the crash that killed their beloved bishop and assistant pastor.

— Mark Prussin, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
By visiting with the sick and shut-in, helping the bereaved, ministering to the incarcerated, always being willing to open the doors of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church to more people, teaching theology to other pastors and more, Thornhill was a pastor.

— Sophia Tiedge, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Definition of pastors

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priestly

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“Priests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/priests. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of priests

noun

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