CHAPLAIN Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

chaplain

noun

Definition of chaplain

as in pastor

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of chaplain Since his father was a British navy chaplain, his family moved regularly, and with that came an acute sense of place. — Irene Borger, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026 But the college plot soon recommences, and the Duffys eventually speak with a Harvard chaplain who, to some extent, is able to allay their anxieties about brainwashing. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026 But Zeizel, the psychologist, and the chaplain both testified Clancy speaks about her children regularly. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 The chaplain was the only witness to take the stand and jurors were excused by the late morning. — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chaplain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chaplain

Noun

Among the hundred or so marchers was Gabrielle Montilus, pastor of the Pentecostal Church in Salisbury.

— Nathan Lee, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
The docuseries features interviews with Pam Muise, a pastor who knew John-Paul for many years.

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of pastor

Noun

Asher has an omnipresent AI assistant who serves as a kind of fixer/scheduler/confessor.

— John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
On April 18, King Frederik and Queen Mary's youngest children were confirmed by the royal confessor, Bishop Henrik Wigh-Poulsen, in Fredensborg Castle Church.

— Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026

Definition of confessor

Noun

Pernkopf was a Nazi functionary who became dean of the medical faculty in 1938 and rector of the university in 1943.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
The Rectory As the name suggests, The Rectory was originally home to the rector of nearby All Saints’ Church and his 14 children.

— Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026

Definition of rector

Noun

The couple were married by a female vicar, per the Daily Mail.

— Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
Nearly every murder is solved by the end of the episode, but despite the unusual twist of having the village vicar team up with the police, the real action comes from the relationships among the characters.

— Pat Saperstein, Variety, 14 June 2026

Definition of vicar

Noun

This one stars Cox himself as a mysterious and formidable old man in an undertaker’s suit and parson’s hat who wanders into an Arizona border town in 1890 to gather the names of dead Mexican laborers.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
And what does the old man who sleeps by the fire know about the dead parson?

— Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026

Definition of parson

Noun

As literary scholar Leah Price has observed, the it-narrative’s premise held special appeal for Christian missionaries, whose evangelical activities likewise hinged on social circulation.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
The German missionary who had settled in the highlands had started a Lutheran school, and Gajdusek asked him to find a good candidate among the students.

— Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of missionary

Noun

Man of books and learning Several of the videos show Athanasius of Alexandria, a fourth-century bishop and theologian traditionally considered one of the church fathers.

— Denva Gallant, The Conversation, 8 July 2026
Juan José Gerardi Conedera (born December 27, 1922, Guatemala City, Guatemala—killed April 26, 1998, Guatemala City) was a Guatemalan Roman Catholic bishop and human rights activist.

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026

Definition of bishop

Noun

In 1976, the residence was redesigned as a retirement home for church missioners.

— George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
Kelley Hudlow, missioner for clergy formation for the diocese, told NBC affiliate WVTM of Birmingham soon after the shooting that church leaders were trying to learn more.

— Phil Helsel, NBC News, 17 June 2022

Definition of missioner

Browse Nearby Words

chaperoning

chaplain

chaplains

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Chaplain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chaplain. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of chaplain

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on chaplain

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes