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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of laity
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
The Vatican's laity office cracked down on the largely unregulated world of international associations of the faithful after some cases of abuses of authority and bad governance had been reported.
—Nicole Winfield, Star Tribune, 11 June 2021
And concerning public policy, the laity plays a crucial role in deciphering situations and conditions and helping apply them to halachah.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2022
See all Example Sentences for laity 
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
The Vatican's laity office cracked down on the largely unregulated world of international associations of the faithful after some cases of abuses of authority and bad governance had been reported.
—Nicole Winfield, Star Tribune, 11 June 2021
And concerning public policy, the laity plays a crucial role in deciphering situations and conditions and helping apply them to halachah.
—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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The only real prejudice Desiree encounters is from the pastor at the family church, and even that’s in the form of microaggressions rather than outright hostility.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
5 Feb. 2025
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The project shares its only access point with the church, in the middle of a blind curve on El Camino Real.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In the same parish two years before, Colbert pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud in a similar case.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC News,
11 Feb. 2025
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But, if your power goes out, Orleans and Jefferson parishes have warming shelters: Treme Center, Terrytown Playground and Ree Alario Special Needs Center.—
Carlie Kollath Wells,
Axios,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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His church won independence in 2019 from the Russian Orthodox Church, but some congregations continued to follow the hierarchy in Moscow.—
Andrew E. Kramer,
New York Times,
6 Feb. 2025
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Bob Thomason, a former chairman of the board of deacons, said most or all of the congregation supports social justice.—
Frank Langfitt,
NPR,
4 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near laity
Cite this Entry
“Laity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laity. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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