elder

noun

Definition of eldernext
1
as in senior
a person of advanced years in that Asian society elders are accorded great respect

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dean
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Fireworks can’t be set off within 1,000 feet of medical buildings, elder care facilities, public buildings, and schools. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026 Any money Fawn Bluff eventually makes will be spent locally, but Homalco elders and other partners are already part of the project. — The Editors, Robb Report, 27 June 2026 Everywhere Robin Hood goes, there’s another young person who recognizes him as the killer of their uncle, grandfather, or village elder. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 June 2026 Many of them have been with us for over 10 years, have amazing relationships with our elders, provide 24-hour care for them, all day, every day. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for elder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elder
  1. oldster
  2. superior
  3. ancestor
  4. dean
  5. geriatric
  6. boss
  7. veteran
  8. ancient
Noun
  • Enough with the oldsters, what about those kids?
    — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 4 June 2026
  • With each passing day, its oldster cast — including Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, and Geena Davis — is closer to the grave.
    — Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Definition of oldster
Noun
  • For example, women athletes are routinely portrayed as emotional, powerless, and reliant on their coaches or superiors, resulting in their infantilization, all while their men athlete counterparts are framed as rational and confident.
    — Lindsey Darvin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • 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.
    — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Definition of superior
Noun
  • And discovering Grace Paley’s work was like discovering an ancestor.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
  • In between Amos’s lines, In Times of Dragons is a saga of survival introducing different muses along the way, from a real-life ancestor, a martyr who fell in love with Jesus, and a group of rugged women.
    — Tina Eves, SPIN, 13 July 2026
Definition of ancestor
Noun
  • Ian Williamson, dean of the business school, said the new federal policy played a role in the decision as well as student scheduling preferences.
    — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • But Erwin Chemerinsky, Berkeley’s law school dean, said Trump still won most of the cases the court decided either after oral arguments or through emergency appeals the administration brought.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of dean
Noun
  • Now, thanks entirely to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the scales are tipping back towards the geriatrics.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • Raya Elfadel Kheirbek is a professor of medicine and chief of the division of palliative medicine and geriatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
    — Raya Elfadel Kheirbek, Washington Post, 17 May 2026
Definition of geriatric
Noun
  • His boss agreed, according to the lawsuit, so Swinehart asked an employee who worked under him to figure out if the family would be interested in that.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • McClair, a scurrying cerebral Glaswegian signed from Celtic and one of the few players to outsmart his boss Sir Alex Ferguson, had become the first in 20 years, since Best, to score 20 league goals for United.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of boss
Noun
  • The Phillies and Major League Baseball are teaming up to help veterans in the Philadelphia area this All-Star Week.
    — Dan Snyder, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • While there has been talk of avenging that conflict on social media, the Argentina news outlet Clarín shared a letter from veterans of the Falklands War.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026
Definition of veteran
Noun
  • The exhibit features several dozen dinosaur animatronics that fully loom and roar, and a virtual aquarium stocked with swimming ancients.
    — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 21 May 2026
  • Sitting alone among these ancients can be a profound experience.
    — Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
Definition of ancient

Phrases Containing elder

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el cheapo
elder
elderliness
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Cite this Entry

“Elder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elder. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on elder

Nglish: Translation of elder for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elder

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