as in ministerial
of, relating to, or characteristic of the clergy
clerical duties such as providing spiritual counseling and leading Bible study classes
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in priest
a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church
some of the state's most prominent clericals have spoken out against the measure
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of clerical
Meira Gebel, Axios, 22 Oct. 2024
Former election officials say that even more often, allegations of fraud turn out to result from a clerical error or a misunderstanding.
—Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
Instead, there appears to have been low turnout, motivated by a mix of apathy and opposition to Iran’s clerical rulers.
—Susannah George, Washington Post, 29 June 2024
The union includes respiratory therapists, phlebotomists, patient care technicians, inpatient unit clerks and specialists in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, also known as ECMO, along with clerical staff in clinics and ambulatory care settings.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 5 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clerical 
Adjective
Yes, but: Gov. Tina Kotek recently called for an independent audit of the DMV and suspended its automatic voter registration process after the state uncovered over 1,250 non-citizens were mistakenly registered to vote due to an internal clerical error last month.
—Meira Gebel, Axios, 22 Oct. 2024
Former election officials say that even more often, allegations of fraud turn out to result from a clerical error or a misunderstanding.
—Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
Instead, there appears to have been low turnout, motivated by a mix of apathy and opposition to Iran’s clerical rulers.
—Susannah George, Washington Post, 29 June 2024
The union includes respiratory therapists, phlebotomists, patient care technicians, inpatient unit clerks and specialists in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, also known as ECMO, along with clerical staff in clinics and ambulatory care settings.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 5 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clerical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clerical
Adjective
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The government controls the Knesset, and the coalition usually votes as a bloc in accordance with decisions made by a ministerial committee, meaning that several powerful ministers, led by the prime minister, control legislation.Eliav Lieblich, Foreign Affairs, 8 Feb. 2023
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Since the 2020 election, local officials in at least eight states have attempted to use their largely ministerial duty in election certification to delay or deny certification, according to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Lisa called her parents, and asked her dad to get their parish priest.Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 19 Nov. 2024
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The priest who okay’d the filming of a controversial Sabrina Carpenter music video at his Williamsburg, Brooklyn church has been relieved of his duties.Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 19 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The red brick main home, which spans approximately 8,800 square feet, boasts three fireplaces, numerous picture windows that showcase the pastoral grounds, and intricate millwork throughout.Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2024
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Now that the writing was on the wall, the pastoral quality of the Williams-cast was like a balm to my ears.Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Born in Round Rock, Talarico is currently training to become a preacher.Bayliss Wagner, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024
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Raised by a preacher and a professional bodybuilder father, Pope draws on his upbringing to confront internalized homophobia and navigate his identity.Marc Malkin, Variety, 22 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Part of the group then took the stage in one of the more striking scenes ever seen at a big Republican presidential rally: a row of clerics in Islamic garb and caps strode on stage as Trump greeted them with smiles, shaking their hands.Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 1 Nov. 2024
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Taking Blaine by the hand, the Rev. Samuel D. Burchard pledged the backing of the clerics with shots at Blaine’s critics and veiled allusions to Cleveland’s private life.Robert B. Mitchell / Made by History, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near clerical
Cite this Entry
“Clerical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clerical. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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