defrock
verb
de·frock
(ˌ)dē-ˈfräk 
defrocked; defrocking; defrocks
1
: to deprive of the right to exercise the functions of office
a defrocked priest
2
: to remove from a position of honor or privilege
Examples of defrock in a Sentence
the movie's director was defrocked for going way over budget
Recent Examples on the Web
He was removed from public ministry in 2003 and defrocked in 2020, but does not appear to have been charged in any criminal cases, the report said.
—
Laura Schulte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Robert Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times, Journal Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2024
Baker remained in the ministry until 2000, when he was defrocked, church records show.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024
David Kerr, a spokesman for the Diocese of Lansing, said now that DeLorenzo has pleaded guilty he will be formally defrocked.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 27 Apr. 2023
One exception is former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was defrocked in 2019 after abuse allegations surfaced.
—Fredrick Kunkle, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for defrock
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Laura Schulte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Robert Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times, Journal Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2024
Baker remained in the ministry until 2000, when he was defrocked, church records show.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024
David Kerr, a spokesman for the Diocese of Lansing, said now that DeLorenzo has pleaded guilty he will be formally defrocked.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 27 Apr. 2023
One exception is former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was defrocked in 2019 after abuse allegations surfaced.
—Fredrick Kunkle, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for defrock
Cite this Entry
“Defrock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defrock. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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