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Glite Dictionary
clericalist

clericalist

9.9
A person who supports giving religious leaders power in government
  • noun
  • /ˈklɛrɪkəlɪst/
translation icon : clericalista
  • During the debate, the clericalist argued that traditional values should guide modern politics.

Examples

  • The rise of clericalists in the community has sparked discussions about the role of religion in public life.

  • Nationalists, for example, argued that money spent on alcohol by socialists and clericalists would be better spent finding the independence campaign.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Most socialists, and some clericalists and nationalists, especially among the working class, openly opposed United States entry into the war.

    Academic text (1998)

  • The seminarist from the Kremlin who persecuted clericalists with relentless fury was not averse to the ancient symbol, torn from its source, serving secular goals with a meaning adapted to the needs of the times.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Many clericalists believe that religious institutions should have a significant influence on government policies.

Synonyms

dominionist
vsclericalist
  • US
3 9.9

A person who wants the country's laws and government to follow a religion's rules

supports clergy influence in politics rather than rule by religious principles
theocrat
vsclericalist
1 9.0

A person who supports government by religious leaders and law

supports clergy influence in politics and religion rather than direct governmental rule
ultramontanist
vsclericalist
  • Formal
9.9

A person who supports the Pope having strong power over local church leaders

supports clergy influence in politics rather than backing central church authority

How Clerical

clericalist
9.9
moderate
85 4.6
secularist
12 7.5

Surface Forms

clericalist singular
clericalists plural

Morphology

clericalist = clerical (transparent) = cleric + al + ist

The agentive suffix '-ist' straightforwardly forms 'one who advocates' from 'clerical' (relating to clergy), so the meaning is directly predictable.

Etymology

Clericalist comes from cleric ('religious leader') and the ending -ist ('someone who supports' an idea). So a clericalist is someone who wants religious leaders to have power or strong influence, especially in politics.