as in ministerial
of, relating to, or characteristic of the clergy
majestically robed in priestly garments
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 priestly
This violence did little to deter upper-caste Hindus—namely Brahmins (the traditional priestly caste), Kshatriyas, (the warrior caste), and Banias (the trading caste)—from becoming BJP supporters.
—
Hartosh Singh Bal, Foreign Affairs, 13 Apr. 2022
As a member of all the priestly colleges, the emperor was effectively the head of Roman religion as well as its chief priest.
—Mary Beard, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023
However, as the services are allowed to utilize rings, prayers and priestly blessings, many are concerned the accommodations have effectively overruled this marital doctrine.
—Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 17 Nov. 2023
Ireland has a mere 20 seminarians total, and much of Europe is seeing precipitous declines in priestly vocations as well as parish attendance.
—Tim Busch, National Review, 23 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for priestly
Hartosh Singh Bal, Foreign Affairs, 13 Apr. 2022
As a member of all the priestly colleges, the emperor was effectively the head of Roman religion as well as its chief priest.
—Mary Beard, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023
However, as the services are allowed to utilize rings, prayers and priestly blessings, many are concerned the accommodations have effectively overruled this marital doctrine.
—Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 17 Nov. 2023
Ireland has a mere 20 seminarians total, and much of Europe is seeing precipitous declines in priestly vocations as well as parish attendance.
—Tim Busch, National Review, 23 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for priestly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for priestly
Adjective
-
This joint ministerial decision was designed to lend legitimacy to the process established under the EU-Turkey deal, but was mired in logistical and legal challenges.—
Frey Lindsay,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Their efforts were undermined by regular flux at ministerial level, with the UK having had four prime ministers in as many years.—
Patrick Boyland,
The Athletic,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Nowhere is the dream of pastoral harmony regained through scientific knowledge more beautifully realized than in Boucher’s nocturne of a cherub, telescope in hand, contemplating the moon.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2025
-
The album version shifts from what could at first be mistaken for a pastoral, pleasant crooner about country life into a four-alarm fire, crackling with impatient riffs by the first refrain, when horns pile insistently on top of each other only to strip back, again, to an orchestral piano hymn.—
Shana Naomi Krochmal,
Vulture,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Internal Revenue Service Math and Taxpayer Help Act Feenstra also introduced the IRS Math and Taxpayer Help Act, which requires the IRS to change certain notices involving math or clerical errors.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Even if a student were to change the gender on their birth certificate they wouldn’t be allowed to play, because state law only recognizes changes to birth certificates that result from clerical error.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Priestly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/priestly. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share