clerisy

noun

ˈkler-ə-sē How to pronounce clerisy (audio)
Definition of clerisynext
as in intelligentsia
intellectuals considered as a social class a society lacking a well-established clerisy with a strong commitment to democratic ideals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 clerisy They are ruled by a grizzled and sclerotic clerisy that funnels resources to its private army, the terrorist Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). — Matthew Continetti, National Review, 24 Sep. 2022 All will be forgiven and forgotten by the clerisy of the moment. — Barton Swaim, WSJ, 18 July 2021 Only those the board licenses are admitted to the clerisy uniquely entitled to publicly discuss engineering. — George Will, Twin Cities, 13 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clerisy
  1. intelligentsia
  2. elite
Noun
  • Reasons to stay a while include Hong’s bottle-shares, which have gained popularity almost entirely through word of mouth among the local beer intelligentsia.
    — Brandon Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, an exiled intelligentsia numbering in the millions stands ready to return and rebuild their stricken homeland.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of intelligentsia
Noun
  • Meanwhile, new Gallup research suggested the technology’s benefits have largely been concentrated among elites.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Voters should select their candidates instead of the elites who spend millions of dollars to place their preferred candidates in office.
    — Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of elite

Browse Nearby Words

clerihews
clerisy
clerk
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Clerisy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clerisy. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Luddite

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

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

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All