first estate

as in clergy
the group ordained to perform clerical functions in the Christian church a nation in which the first estate had long held a privileged position

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for first estate
Noun
  • Earlier this month, the DOJ launched an investigation into a Washington state law that requires clergy members to report information about child abuse or neglect obtained during confessions, without exemptions for Catholic priests' confessional privilege.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
  • The Swiss Army lined the outside of the Vatican among clergy and people waving patriotic indicators from around the globe in celebration of the leader of the Catholic Church emerging from the balcony and beginning his papacy.
    Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • Mustain served at Preston Trail from 2019 to 2023, according to a statement on the church’s website.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 June 2025
  • The church emerged as a safe haven because Pastor Brutus, who had ministered for 50 years and given refuge to some of the more than 1 million Haitians who have been displaced by the violence, had attained hero status.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
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“First estate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first%20estate. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.

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