as in to depose
to remove from a position of prominence or power (as a throne) the movie's director was defrocked for going way over budget
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Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of defrock He was removed from public ministry in 2003 and defrocked in 2020, but does not appear to have been charged in any criminal cases, the report said. —
Laura Schulte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Robert Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times, Journal Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2024 Baker remained in the ministry until 2000, when he was defrocked, church records show. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for defrock
Laura Schulte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Robert Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times, Journal Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2024 Baker remained in the ministry until 2000, when he was defrocked, church records show. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for defrock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defrock
Verb
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The House oversight committee held depositions with former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in late February after Comer deposed the couple.— Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026
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The committee has deposed numerous people who knew Epstein, including Ohio billionaire Les Wexner, who hired Epstein to manage his finances, and former President Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.— Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Hiring Liam Rosenior, sacked on Wednesday after just 107 days in charge, was a big error of judgement.— Simon Johnson, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
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John Franklin-Myers, who loved talking, sacking and eating Uncrustables, left as a free agent to the Titans.— Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defrock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/defrock. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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