Definitions

padre

[pah-drey, -dree, pah-thre, pah-dre] / ˈpɑ dreɪ, -dri, ˈpɑ ðrɛ, ˈpɑ drɛ /

NOUN

clergyman

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bishop chaplain cleric evangelist missionary pastor pontiff preacher priest rabbi

STRONG

abbey archbishop cardinal cassock churchman clerk curate dean divine ecclesiastic father monsignor parson primate rector reverend sermonizer shepherd vicar

WEAK

bible thumper blackcoat devil dodger ecclesiast harp polisher predicant pulpitarian pulpiteer sky pilot sky scout the rev turn-around collar

Antonyms

WEAK

layman layperson

NOUN

clergyperson

Synonyms

WEAK

abbey archbishop bishop blackcoat cardinal cassock chaplain churchperson cleric clerk curate dean divine ecclesiast ecclesiastic evangelist father missionary monsignor parson pastor person of God person of the cloth pontiff preacher predicant priest primate pulpitarian pulpiteer rabbi rector reverend sermonizer shepherd vicar

NOUN

father

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ancestor dad parent predecessor

STRONG

begetter daddy origin pa papa pop progenitor sire source

WEAK

forebearer procreator

Antonyms

STRONGEST

descendant

STRONG

effect end result

WEAK

mother

NOUN

father

Synonyms

STRONGEST

minister

STRONG

clergyman confessor ecclesiastic parson pastor preacher reverend

WEAK

abbé cure curé

Antonyms

WEAK

mother

NOUN

parson

Synonyms

STRONG

chaplain ecclesiastic minister pastor preacher priest rector reverend vicar

WEAK

churchman/woman clergyman/woman

NOUN

priest

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cleric elder father friar lama monk preacher rector

STRONG

curate divine ecclesiastic pontiff vicar

WEAK

clergyperson father confessor holy man man of God man of the cloth

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The driving force behind that is Padre Pepe, a chatty parish priest in jeans and checked shirt rather than a dog collar.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

Padre Pepe's team are scrambling to help everyone submit their paperwork before the deadline.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

Padre Tiago has threatened to eradicate American influence and to nationalize the United Fruit Co. plantations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 12, 2025

Leonora seeks refuge in a monastery, where the abbot, Padre Guardiano, offers her shelter.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 22, 2024

To clothe the migrants, he circumvents Mexican Customs, which inspects cars and confiscates used clothing coming into the country, in what Padre Leo believes is an attempt to protect Mexican clothing manufacturers.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario

padre

Example Sentences

Related Words