DEAN Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

dean

noun

ˈdēn

Definition of dean

as in elder

the senior member of a group the dean of the Aspen ski instructors oversaw the training of the rescue team

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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 dean That time spent on TVs, laptops and phones is not surprising, says Lance Garrison, dean for the College of Professional Psychology at the Chicago School and a clinician focused on kids and families. — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 23 July 2026 Ferris Bueller’s Day Off also starred Mia Sara as Ferris’ girlfriend Sloane Peterson, Jennifer Grey as Jeanie, his sister, Cindy Pickett as Ferris’ mom and Jeffrey Jones as the dean of students who tries to prove Ferris is skipping class. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026 Shereah Taylor-Love, dean of the human and public service pathway at TCC South, said the program will support students advancing into high-impact employment. — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 July 2026 Before joining the federation, Morand was director general of the Institut Français de la Mode, a former dean of business school ESCP Europe, and deputy director general of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Paris region. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dean

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dean

Noun

Its inhabitants remain largely indifferent to the independence movement; village elders reason that freedom will benefit the educated while cultivators will merely exchange one set of masters for another.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
Young orcas then gobbled up fish fragments that drifted through the water as their elders tore into what was left of the sunfish’s corpse.

— Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 23 July 2026

Definition of elder

Noun

Disability spans every age, race, culture and socioeconomic background, and investment in accessibility and inclusive programming tends to ripple outward, improving experiences for older adults, veterans, families and caregivers along the way.

— Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
The Panthers had already moved to protect themselves on the left side, signing veteran tackle Rasheed Walker in March as a potential replacement for Ekwonu.

— Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of veteran

Noun

One of the doyens of Portuguese coaching, who has managed each of the big three in their home country and led Al Hilal to the title in 2023-24 after a 34-game unbeaten streak, was personally convinced by Ronaldo to cross the divide.

— Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Back home in Budapest, fellow academics and foreign diplomats marvel at the doyen of Hungarian foreign policy who doesn’t speak Hungarian.

— Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 6 Apr. 2026

Definition of doyen

Noun

How would one of hip-hop’s elder statesmen reflect on his career and his many successes?

— Jabari M. Evans, The Conversation, 24 June 2026
Crucially, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has attracted a lot of criticism as the side’s 41-year-old elder statesman, responded to the doubters with two goals — and could have had more.

— The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Definition of elder statesman

Noun

Navya Sharma, a Reach board member and a rising senior, creates content centering on her personal journey as an international student from India who is also pursuing acting and filmmaking.

— Avery Stone, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026
Admission is only $3 for nonresidents and nonresidents who are seniors, military or students with valid ID pay $2.

— Terri Daxon, Oc Register, 23 July 2026

Definition of senior

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deal (with)

dean

deans

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“Dean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dean. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of dean

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