ÉMINENCE GRISE Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

éminence grise

noun

ā-mē-näⁿs-ˈgrēz

Definition of éminence grise

as in elder statesman

the senior member of a group the revered éminence grise of Civil War historians

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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.

Recent Examples of éminence grise But none have matched JPMorgan, which, under the leadership of Wall Street’s eminence grise Jamie Dimon, has thrived. — Paolo Confino, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2024 Belafonte was 57, an eminence grise in entertainment, and his participation motivated lots of artists who admired him. — Rob Tannenbaum, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2024 Federer serving in the Sinatra/Clooney part as the eminence grise. — Jason Gay, WSJ, 24 Sep. 2022 That emotionally astute author, the eminence grise, the institutional memory. — Washington Post, 29 Dec. 2021 In the world of the candle obsessed, Diptyque is the eminence grise. — Kathleen Hou, The Cut, 16 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for éminence grise

Noun

Yesterday’s punk, grunge, and rebel-outsider upstarts have an uncanny way of evolving into today’s elder statesmen of respectable infamy.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
The squad’s elder statesmen set standards on the pitch and in the dressing room to help their more junior colleagues along their journey.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of elder statesman

Noun

The Cubs’ World Series MVP praised the mix of hungry veterans and young guys looking to win their first title.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
Randle’s wife has her circle of friends nearby, and the veteran forward has his own community outside basketball.

— C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of veteran

Noun

Steven Freedman, associate dean of admissions at the University of Kansas School of Law, said the loans are important to help provide access to all students.

— Heather Hollingsworth, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
The strike has also been backed by labor unions, university deans, churches, artists, athletes, international media organizations and others.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of dean

Noun

Through the work of tribal language leaders, elders and younger generations, the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians is working to ensure Nisenan is not simply remembered as part of the past, but spoken and carried forward into the future.

— Conor McGill, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
The Republican elders Barry Goldwater, John Rhodes, and Hugh Scott told Nixon that impeachment in the House of Representatives was now certain, and conviction in the Senate likely.

— David Remnick, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of elder

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“éminence grise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/%C3%A9minence%20grise. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of éminence grise

noun

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