Find Synonyms
laity Synonyms
Another word for laity
Choosing another word for laity depends on context, so the synonyms and similar words below are separated across 2 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
• noun (Context 1)
The ordinary members of a religious community or congregation, as distinguished from its ordained clergy.
Usage Example
"The bishop encouraged greater participation from the laypeople in parish administration and charitable outreach."
Strongest
laypeople
Strong
congregation
parishioners
flock
Weak
laic
• noun (Context 2)
All the people who are not qualified professionals or specialized experts in a given field, such as medicine, law, or science.
Usage Example
"The medical journal published a plain-language summary to make the complex clinical findings accessible to the laypeople."
Strongest
laypeople
nonprofessionals
Strong
outsiders
amateurs
Weak
public
Opposites of laity
The opposite of laity shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:
clergy
experts
professionals
priesthood
specialists
practitioners
ministry
ecclesiastics
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Laity. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/laity