unpriestly - Glite Dictionary

Examples

The documentary exposed several unpriestly actions within the organization.
That was an unpriestly thing to say!
Many found the remark rather unpriestly for someone of his position.
His behavior was very unpriestly during the ceremony.
His unpriestly behavior shocked the entire congregation.
Many found the remark rather unpriestly for someone of his position.
His actions during the service were viewed as quite unpriestly.

Synonyms

ungodly

vsunpriestly

18 7.2

Morally wrong because it goes against religious rules

focuses on unsuitability for religious office rather than general sinfulness

unholy

vsunpriestly

18 6.1

Not sacred and not fit for worship

is about failing to suit a religious officer's expected role rather than mere irreverence

unworthy

vsunpriestly

Offensive

7 5.4

Deserves strong blame or dislike

refers instead to lacking the demeanor appropriate for a religious official

unrighteous

vsunpriestly

Formal

4 7.6

Acting in a way that is unfair or morally wrong

speaks specifically to not fitting religious duties rather than broad immorality

ungentlemanly

vsunpriestly

1 7.0

Rude or unfair behavior that shows little respect for others

is similar in lacking decorum but targets religious office suitability

ungallant

vsunpriestly

1 9.1

Not polite or kind to other people

is about not fitting a religious officer's expected manner rather than social discourtesy

uncomely

vsunpriestly

Archaic

1 9.6

Not proper in dress or behavior in polite company

focuses on failing to match a religious officer's proper character rather than general impropriety

unchristianly

vsunpriestly

9.9

In a cruel, unkind way that shows little compassion

is about not matching a religious officer's proper bearing rather than denominational virtue

Antonyms

priestly

10 4.8

Relating to priests or their religious duties

How Priestly

sacred

306 4.6

priestly

10 4.8

clerical

9 6.1

unpriestly

9.1

lay

38 4.9

secular

165 4.7

Surface Forms

unpriestly positive

Morphology

unpriestly = priestly (transparent) = un + priest + ly

Formed by negation prefix 'un-' added to the adjective 'priestly'; meaning is directly the opposite of 'priestly'.

Etymology

The word unpriestly is made from un- meaning 'not', the noun priest meaning 'a religious leader', and -ly which makes a word describe something, just like in unhappy. So unpriestly means 'not like a priest' or 'not fitting a priest', which is why it describes behaviour that seems wrong for someone in that role.