as in church
the people of a religion who are not priests, ministers, etc.
a member of the laity The laity has played an important role in the history of the church.
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Recent Examples of laity
Following the decision, a crisis of continuity has arisen between the UOC, the Russian Orthodox Church, and those clerics and laity who have assumed the name Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
—
Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 25 Oct. 2023
The Forum of Religious for Justice and Peace, a group of Catholic clergy and laity in India, wrote a letter to Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai urging bishops to attend to the increasing attacks by far-right Hindu nationalist groups against Indian Christians, according to Crux Now.
—Fox News, 18 Feb. 2022
The event, which drew roughly 80 clergy and laity from across the Central Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Arkansas, was held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Conway.
—Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 2023
From this perspective, halachah is a partnership between the laity and the rabbinate, with the laity playing a critical role in the halachic process.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for laity
Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 25 Oct. 2023
The Forum of Religious for Justice and Peace, a group of Catholic clergy and laity in India, wrote a letter to Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai urging bishops to attend to the increasing attacks by far-right Hindu nationalist groups against Indian Christians, according to Crux Now.
—Fox News, 18 Feb. 2022
The event, which drew roughly 80 clergy and laity from across the Central Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Arkansas, was held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Conway.
—Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 2023
From this perspective, halachah is a partnership between the laity and the rabbinate, with the laity playing a critical role in the halachic process.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for laity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laity
Noun
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Thunders and Nolan died less than a year apart in 1991 and 1992, and Kane was long retired from music and working at the Mormon church’s Family History Center in Los Angeles.—
Daniel Kreps, Andy Greene
March 1,
Rolling Stone,
1 Mar. 2025
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The suit alleges the city violated RLUIPA and the church’s First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly and the free exercise of religion.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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And now, as the ailing pontiff receives care at Rome's Gemelli hospital, Catholic Palestinians in Gaza are offering Francis their own prayers, with leaders and members of the Holy Family parish in northern Gaza praying for his recovery.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC News,
25 Feb. 2025
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The incident unraveled during a relic of St. Jude's tour at the Queen of Apostles parish in Joliet, Illinois, on Nov. 21, 2024.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
Fox News,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The congregation doesn’t have a permanent home, instead renting a modest brick church along a busy road near University of the Pacific.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacramento Bee,
27 Feb. 2025
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The grants could be a lifeline for Black churches struggling with dwindling congregations, a lack of resources and aging infrastructures, said Jason Williams, professor of Justice Studies at Montclair State University in New Jersey.—
Deborah Barfield Berry,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Laity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laity. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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