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
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Recent Examples of defrock
One exception is former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was defrocked in 2019 after abuse allegations surfaced.
—
Fredrick Kunkle, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2023
Francis originally set out the norms as a response to the decades of cover-up exposed by a Pennsylvania grand jury report and the scandal over then-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was eventually defrocked for abusing adults as well as minors.
—Nicole Winfield, al, 25 Mar. 2023
None of the priests were defrocked.
—Monica Scislowska, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2023
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
Fredrick Kunkle, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2023
Francis originally set out the norms as a response to the decades of cover-up exposed by a Pennsylvania grand jury report and the scandal over then-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was eventually defrocked for abusing adults as well as minors.
—Nicole Winfield, al, 25 Mar. 2023
None of the priests were defrocked.
—Monica Scislowska, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2023
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defrock
Verb
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Ellis has ordered Bovino be deposed in the case and a preliminary injunction hearing is set for November 5.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
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Also among the deposed were Lively's costars Jenny Slate, 41, and Isabela Ferrer, 20.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Commanders defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton came through the Chiefs’ offensive line to sack Mahomes.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
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There are rare instances, like the sack All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett recorded on him two weeks ago, when Paul tried to pass Garrett off to rookie left guard Jonah Savaiinaea, and Garrett slipped his block, going underneath both to sack Tua Tagovailoa.—
Omar Kelly
October 29,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defrock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defrock. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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