anticlerical

[ an-tee-kler-i-kuhl, an-tahy- ]

adjective

1. opposed to the influence and activities of the clergy or the church in secular or public affairs.

anticlerical

/ ˌæntɪˈklɛrɪkəl /

adjective

1. opposed to the power and influence of the clergy, esp in politics

noun

1. a supporter of an anticlerical party

Derived Forms

• ˌantiˈclericalism, noun

Other Words From

• anti·cleri·cal·ism noun
• anti·cleri·cal·ist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of anticlerical¹

First recorded in 1835–45; anti- + clerical

Example Sentences

How did it become the anticlerical, ego-theistic literature of today?

From The Daily Beast

The Vatican has also defended the pontiff, calling the charges a fantasy of “the anticlerical left.”

From The Daily Beast

Even in this critical moment the officer could not drop the anticlerical rhetoric and pompous style that he always adopted.

From Project Gutenberg

But the priest––did you not say only last week that he himself had published a book violently anticlerical in tone?

From Project Gutenberg

It begins as he intended, anticlerical; and so it will run for a while.

From Project Gutenberg

Nominally acting for the Government; at heart, anticlerical.

From Project Gutenberg

How could Wenceslas interpret this but as an anticlerical uprising?

From Project Gutenberg