higher-up

noun

high·​er-up ˌhī-ər-ˈəp 

ˈhī-ər-ˌəp

: a superior officer or official

Examples of higher-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The development was met with private fury from several higher-ups at EFL clubs, with those growing club losses cited. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

The ‘next step’ On a sunny September day last year in the Chinese port city of Ningbo, not far from Shanghai, higher-ups from shipping company Sea Legend mingled with local transport officials at a port terminal. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Tony Romo will remain sidelined until further notice, as CBS Sports higher-ups continue to assess the NFL analyst’s status at the Tiffany network. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Your manager might ask you to lead an important client presentation after someone who was originally presenting drops out or higher-ups could lean on you for your presence and charisma. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for higher-up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup