Synonyms
Examples of clerical in a Sentence
Adjective
She spent the summer doing clerical work for a lawyer.
a member of our clerical staff
The mistake was due to a clerical error.
Noun
some of the state's most prominent clericals have spoken out against the measure
Recent Examples on the Web
Rivea Ruff, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024
But parliamentary elections remain important as indicators of public sentiment, which in this case has soured on the ruling clerical and military elite and the system as a whole, analysts say.
—Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024
The infractions can be minor, but the damage to one’s career and credibility are never less than biblical, the ensuing duties clerical.
—John Anderson, WSJ, 28 Nov. 2023
Those not eligible to vote include all specialists, technicians, plant and office clerical employees, engineers, purchasing and inventory employees, any people who work for contractors, employee leasing companies, and/or temporary agencies.
—Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 25 Mar. 2024
Homeowners will see much lower property taxes than expected next year, officials said, due to a clerical error that is costing the city more than $1 million.
—Sarah Ritter, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
The Forest Service explained that the notification was the result of a clerical mistake.
—ProPublica, 16 Mar. 2024
That union represents about 4,000 employees, including library aides and clerical and business service staff at schools.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024
The bishops urged radical change: Grant priestly powers to married men, breaking with the bedrock tenet of clerical celibacy, and increase the reach of the cloth.
—Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 17 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Nearly ten years later, a clerical error sets his record back to just 2,997 hits, leaving his record out of reach.
—Rivea Ruff, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024
But parliamentary elections remain important as indicators of public sentiment, which in this case has soured on the ruling clerical and military elite and the system as a whole, analysts say.
—Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024
The infractions can be minor, but the damage to one’s career and credibility are never less than biblical, the ensuing duties clerical.
—John Anderson, WSJ, 28 Nov. 2023
Those not eligible to vote include all specialists, technicians, plant and office clerical employees, engineers, purchasing and inventory employees, any people who work for contractors, employee leasing companies, and/or temporary agencies.
—Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 25 Mar. 2024
Homeowners will see much lower property taxes than expected next year, officials said, due to a clerical error that is costing the city more than $1 million.
—Sarah Ritter, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
The Forest Service explained that the notification was the result of a clerical mistake.
—ProPublica, 16 Mar. 2024
That union represents about 4,000 employees, including library aides and clerical and business service staff at schools.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024
The bishops urged radical change: Grant priestly powers to married men, breaking with the bedrock tenet of clerical celibacy, and increase the reach of the cloth.
—Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 17 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clerical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing clerical
Dictionary Entries Near clerical
Cite this Entry
“Clerical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clerical. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
clerical
adjective
cler·i·cal
ˈkler-i-kəl
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the clergy
2
: of or relating to a clerk or office worker
clerically
adverb
-i-k(ə-)lē
More from Merriam-Webster on clerical
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share