coadjutor

noun

co·​ad·​ju·​tor ˌkō-ə-ˈjü-tər How to pronounce coadjutor (audio) kō-ˈa-jə-tər How to pronounce coadjutor (audio)
Synonyms of coadjutornext
1
: one who works together with another : assistant
2
: a bishop assisting a diocesan bishop and often having the right of succession
coadjutor adjective

Synonyms

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Examples of coadjutor in a Sentence

he was appointed coadjutor to the president
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Schnurr came to Cincinnati in 2008 as coadjutor archbishop and took over as archbishop about a year later, upon the retirement of former Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk. — Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 By 1997, he was named coadjutor archbishop of Buenos Aires, assuming full leadership of the archdiocese the following year. — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English coadjutour, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin coadjutor, from Latin co- + adjutor helper, from adjuvare to help — more at aid

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of coadjutor was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

coadjute
coadjutor
coadjutorship
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Cite this Entry

“Coadjutor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coadjutor. Accessed 13 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

coadjutor

noun
co·​ad·​ju·​tor ˌkō-ə-ˈjüt-ər How to pronounce coadjutor (audio) kō-ˈaj-ət-ər How to pronounce coadjutor (audio)
1
: one who works together with another : assistant
2
: a bishop assisting a diocesan bishop and often having the right of succession
coadjutor adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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