: an ecclesiastic (such as a bishop or abbot) of superior rank
Examples of prelate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The other eight cardinals are from all over the U.S.
Raymond Cardinal Burke, an American cardinal prelate who was appointed as cardinal by Benedict XVI, is known as a traditionalist.
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Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 6 May 2025
Other church officials assisted, including the Venezuelan archbishop, the Brazilian prelate and the late pope’s secretaries, according to the Vatican press office.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
Parolin is a mild-mannered, thoughtful Italian prelate who oversees the Vatican’s diplomacy, which has included a provisional agreement with China over the appointment of bishops.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
Echoing his time as a prelate in Argentina, Pope Francis was at times criticized from both sides of the aisle for his heavy hand enforcing Catholic unity on national and international levels.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
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Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 6 May 2025
Other church officials assisted, including the Venezuelan archbishop, the Brazilian prelate and the late pope’s secretaries, according to the Vatican press office.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
Parolin is a mild-mannered, thoughtful Italian prelate who oversees the Vatican’s diplomacy, which has included a provisional agreement with China over the appointment of bishops.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
Echoing his time as a prelate in Argentina, Pope Francis was at times criticized from both sides of the aisle for his heavy hand enforcing Catholic unity on national and international levels.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelate
Cite this Entry
“Prelate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prelate. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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prelate
noun
prel·ate
ˈprel-ət 
: a high-ranking member of the clergy (as a bishop)
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