defrock

verb

de·​frock (ˌ)dē-ˈfräk How to pronounce defrock (audio)
defrocked; defrocking; defrocks

transitive verb

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
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.
In 2010, the Associated Press reported on Oakland pastor Stephen Kiesle, who was convicted of molesting children, and asked to be defrocked by the church in 1981. Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2023 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 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 See all Example Sentences for defrock 

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of defrock was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near defrock

Cite this Entry

“Defrock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defrock. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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