noun
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a policy of upholding the power of the clergy
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the power of the clergy esp when excessively strong
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of clericalism
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He once used an unexpectedly shocking simile to denounce what he termed "hypocritical clericalism".
From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2025
“To many in the church it is symbolic of deeper issues of clericalism and separation from the faithful,” retired King County Superior Court judge and Heal Our Church steering committee founder Terrence Carroll said.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 9, 2022
In 2016, he directed The Student, a film that mocked the country’s increasing clericalism and intolerance.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 17, 2020
Pope Francis has attacked clericalism, which he defined as a view that priests and bishops are the elite who exercise power as opposed to offering humble and generous service.
From Reuters ● Mar. 13, 2019
In this he took the portfolio of the Interior, and the main energy of the government was devoted to the struggle with clericalism.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 7 "Columbus" to "Condottiere" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
