elder

1
2
as in superior
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 ancestor
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

Example Sentences

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 elder With each generation—whether their stories are published or not—our elders insinuate themselves into our consciousness and insist that they not be forgotten. A'lelia Bundles june 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025 The Elder Abuse Unit handles felony cases of elder and dependent adult physical and mental abuse, neglect and cases in which an elder or dependent adult is a victim of a crime. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025 But when that elder is your father and mentor, the nepotism-whispers will linger until he’s had enough hits of his own. Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025 These cranes are known for their resilience and strong familial bonds, often migrating in flocks that include young birds guided by their experienced elders. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for elder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elder
Noun
  • The deer still have to be checked, and each hunter's first adult deer that is harvested has to be donated to Arkansas Hunters Feed the Hungry, Meeker said.
    Harley Walls, Arkansas Online, 29 June 2025
  • For example, the largest adult male great white shark ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean was recently tracked off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, a popular beach vacation hot spot, causing alarm.
    Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Car chases were as reliable a trope as the maverick officer with his own moral code mouthing off to superiors, or the battle-scarred veteran who’s seen it all and just wants to eat donuts and make it to retirement.
    Maris Kreizman, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
  • There was always the risk that he could be associated with more strident calls for change and earn the ire of his superiors.
    JOSEPH TORIGIAN, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • As Charles Handy explained in The Age of Paradox, modern life forces us to navigate complexities our ancestors never faced, such as the tension between efficiency and humanity or between individual freedom and collective responsibility.
    Shane Enete, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Throughout the middle passage, it has been said that our ancestors wove familiar items such as beads, shells, or even seeds and grains from home into their braids, to keep with them along their journeys.
    Essence, Essence, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • Pageants, deans' lists, graduations or military enlistments are not accepted.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
  • Kim Elaine Barrett, the vice dean of research at the University of California Davis School of Medicine, said her school lost grants aimed at building a biomedical workforce that is more representative of the population.
    Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Who among us oldsters doesn’t enjoy a good VFX-costume parlay?
    Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Folks back in the day had Yoda as their feisty oldster and the kids now have Maz. 36.
    Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 24 May 2023
Noun
  • After they were discovered by her boss, she was also forced to kill her superior and burned all the participant files.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • One year after the studio broke industry records by nabbing some 28 series orders from broadcast networks, Walden was taken to task on the plane ride home by her boss at the time, former News Corp. president Peter Chernin.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • The veteran would be a small upgrade in the outfield for the Padres.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
  • Longtime owners Russ and Kathryn Munson partnered with Palmer and luxury hospitality veteran Christopher Hunsberger, now Appellation’s COO, to help bring it to life.
    Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Various private clinics in the fields of surgery, dentistry, cardiology, and geriatrics are available, as well as senior-friendly services.
    Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • The number of nurse practitioners specializing in geriatrics has more than tripled since 2010, increasing the availability of care to the current population of seniors, a recent study in JAMA Network Open found.
    Jariel Arvin, Miami Herald, 21 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Elder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elder. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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