1
as in adults
a person of advanced years
in that Asian society elders are accorded great respect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in superiors
one who is above another in rank, station, or office
as your elder in the company, he is within his rights to tell you what to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ancestors
one who is older than another
it wouldn't hurt to show a little more respect for your elders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in deans
the senior member of a group
as the elder of the contingent of living former presidents, he was accorded a place of highest honor at the ceremonies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of elders
On most measures, young people are more pessimistic than their elders about the future of the country and the resilience of the American dream, the aspiration that has fueled generations of Americans.
—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
At first Zeke seems the very embodiment of older generations’ complaints about GenZ ennui, but Rice isn’t taking cheap shots — not least since since his elders-but-not-wisers get no more flattering a portrait once George (Camp) enters the scene.
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Only in that way can the disempowerment of elders occur on acceptable terms, and therefore occur at all.
—
Literary Hub,
18 June 2026
At the north end of the grassy area — Stiner Pavilion is at the south end — hugging the beach was a table where two members of the park district staff supervised youngsters’ art projects as their elders listened to the music.
—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2026
Ma grew up watching his family elders play, and was relegated to the kids’ table himself.
—
Ashley Parker,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
Marching for pride and community March attendees and participants ranged from noise-cancelling-headphone-wearing infants to LGBTQ+ elders, and many shared the same sentiments of promoting unity and community during Pride Month.
—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
In recent days, young Knicks fans have been made to digest from their dreary Boomer elders heavy doses of old-timey hoops lore, but mainly about the 1970 title series, featuring Willis Reed’s limping, yet noble appearance in Game Seven, his injured leg shot up with painkillers.
—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
Where children could bond with their elders and fall in love with the sounds and smells and scenery of sports.
—
Marcus Thompson Ii,
New York Times,
13 June 2026
Susan Page,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
At first Zeke seems the very embodiment of older generations’ complaints about GenZ ennui, but Rice isn’t taking cheap shots — not least since since his elders-but-not-wisers get no more flattering a portrait once George (Camp) enters the scene.
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Only in that way can the disempowerment of elders occur on acceptable terms, and therefore occur at all.
—
Literary Hub,
18 June 2026
At the north end of the grassy area — Stiner Pavilion is at the south end — hugging the beach was a table where two members of the park district staff supervised youngsters’ art projects as their elders listened to the music.
—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2026
Ma grew up watching his family elders play, and was relegated to the kids’ table himself.
—
Ashley Parker,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
Marching for pride and community March attendees and participants ranged from noise-cancelling-headphone-wearing infants to LGBTQ+ elders, and many shared the same sentiments of promoting unity and community during Pride Month.
—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
In recent days, young Knicks fans have been made to digest from their dreary Boomer elders heavy doses of old-timey hoops lore, but mainly about the 1970 title series, featuring Willis Reed’s limping, yet noble appearance in Game Seven, his injured leg shot up with painkillers.
—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
Where children could bond with their elders and fall in love with the sounds and smells and scenery of sports.
—
Marcus Thompson Ii,
New York Times,
13 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elders
Noun
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About a third of adults in Texas identify as non-Christian, according to Pew Research Center surveys from 2023-2024.
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The penalties may be increased if violators have a prior criminal history and apply to both adults and juveniles.
Noun
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The investigation, according to the archives, cited several factors as contributing to the tragedy, including Holland’s disregard of procedures, the failure of superiors to take previous action and the inadequate preparation of crew members aboard the doomed plane.
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The president watched Israel assassinate his colleagues and superiors, faced accusations by ultra-conservative hardline politicians of compliance with Iran’s archenemy, the United States, and even oversaw a massive crackdown on protests.
Noun
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Goodhouse recalled stories his grandfather would tell him of their ancestors who were in the Hunkpapa camp when troops attacked.
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These findings suggest that throughout great ape evolution, our ancestors gradually developed more control over the timing of their vocalizations, including laughter.
Noun
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Pageants, deans' lists, graduations or military enlistments are not accepted.
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Lloyd was born in Berkeley and raised in Lafayette by his parents, Lester Lloyd, one of the deans of the San Francisco printing industry, and Mildred Lloyd, a librarian at Stanley Middle School.
Noun
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The exhibit features several dozen dinosaur animatronics that fully loom and roar, and a virtual aquarium stocked with swimming ancients.
Noun
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Players are expected to commit themselves to a franchise, while teams frequently reward veterans with contractual stability.
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The Portage home was gifted to Shawn and Rosa and their four daughters through Homes for Heroes, which helps veterans and first responders.
Noun
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Enough with the oldsters, what about those kids?
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Most oldsters like myself still will probably find revisiting the piece enjoyable.
Noun
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Medicaid, a joint state and federal health insurance program, provides coverage to millions of kids, pregnant women, seniors and people with disabilities in Florida, including in Miami-Dade and Broward, home of the highest enrollments in the state.
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South Carolina is no different; South Carolinian seniors also faced a 16% increase in suicides over the same time period, The State reported.
Cite this Entry
“Elders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elders. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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