as in to depose
to remove from a position of prominence or power (as a throne)
the movie's director was defrocked for going way over budget
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples of defrock in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
None of the priests were defrocked.
—
Monica Scislowska, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2023
The Vatican issued piecemeal changes over the years to address the problems and loopholes, most significantly requiring all cases to be sent to the Holy See for review and allowing for a more streamlined administrative process to defrock a priest if the evidence against him was overwhelming.
—Nicole Winfield, Anchorage Daily News, 1 June 2021
Under Ratzinger’s watch as cardinal and pope, the Vatican authorized fast-track administrative procedures to defrock egregious abusers.
—Nicole Winfield, ajc, 1 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for defrock 
Monica Scislowska, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2023
The Vatican issued piecemeal changes over the years to address the problems and loopholes, most significantly requiring all cases to be sent to the Holy See for review and allowing for a more streamlined administrative process to defrock a priest if the evidence against him was overwhelming.
—Nicole Winfield, Anchorage Daily News, 1 June 2021
Under Ratzinger’s watch as cardinal and pope, the Vatican authorized fast-track administrative procedures to defrock egregious abusers.
—Nicole Winfield, ajc, 1 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for defrock
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'defrock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Thesaurus Entries Near defrock
Cite this Entry
“Defrock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defrock. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share