Antipapalist

/ˌæntiˈpeɪpəlɪst/ noun

Definition

A person who opposes papal authority or the papal system of church governance.

Etymology

From antipapacy + -ist (follower or practitioner). Emerged as a specific ideological label during the Reformation and Counter-Reformation periods.

Kelly Says

Some famous antipapalists were themselves clergy who believed the Pope had become corrupt or overstepped his authority—they weren't necessarily anti-Catholic, just anti-papal-absolutism, a distinction that got lost in the chaos of Reformation wars.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.