Home / Thesaurus / Clergy

Find the word that fits

Clergy: alternatives and connections

Begin with the reviewed alternatives, then explore broader connections without treating every related word as an automatic substitute.

Try an example: important law show help change happy

26,102 words currently have published synonym-style alternatives

90,593 searchable synonym connections

350,924 published thesaurus relationships of every type

Start with the meaning

Clergy

The body of men set apart, by due ordination, to the service of God, in the Christian church, in distinction from the laity; in England, usually restricted to the ministers of the Established Church.

View the full dictionary entry Compare this word with another →

51 useful connections shown 9 reviewed relationships and 42 broader connections.

Best place to begin

Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Narrower term 3

Pastorate 76% connected

The office, state, or jurisdiction of a pastor.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Definition Compare both words

Prelacy 76% connected

The office or dignity of a prelate; church government by prelates.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Definition Compare both words

Prelature 76% connected

Alt. of Prelatureship

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Definition Compare both words

Broader term 1

Priesthood 76% connected

The office or character of a priest; the priestly function.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Definition Compare both words

Derivationally related 2

Clerical 74% connected

Of or pertaining to the clergy; suitable for the clergy.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Definition Compare both words

Clerical 74% connected

Of or pertaining to the clergy; suitable for the clergy.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Definition Compare both words

Member part 1

Reverend 70% connected

Worthy of reverence; entitled to respect mingled with fear and affection; venerable.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a member, substance or component part.

Definition Compare both words

Antonym 2

Laity 94% connected

The people, as distinguished from the clergy; the body of the people not in orders.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records these words as lexical opposites.

Definition Compare both words

Laity 94% connected

The people, as distinguished from the clergy; the body of the people not in orders.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records these words as lexical opposites.

Definition Compare both words

Explore further

Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.

All dictionary tools

Explore Academic Dictionary

The same nine destinations available from the header menu are shown here as a clear, fully visible grid.