defrockverb [ T ]
uk/ˌdiːˈfrɒk/us/ˌdiːˈfrɑːk/formal or humorousto dismiss a priest (= remove him from his job), usually because of bad behaviour
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Firing staff
- axe
- be out on your ear idiom
- chop
- constructive dismissal
- delayering
- depose
- get the push idiom
- give sb the heave-ho idiom
- grass
- heave-ho
- invalid sb out
- lay sb off
- pension
- relieve
- removal
- remove
- retire
- sack
- sacking
- shakeout
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Examples from literature
- The church courts had characteristically punished with spiritual penalties of a fine or a penance, and at most defrocking.