higher-up

noun

high·​er-up ˌhī-ər-ˈəp How to pronounce higher-up (audio)
ˈhī-ər-ˌəp
: a superior officer or official

Examples of higher-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Your manager seems reluctant to take ownership of team outcomes, frequently deferring to higher-ups even on routine matters. Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Lack of transparency from management Lack of transparency from managers and higher-ups often leads to mistrust, speculation and gossip. Alora Bopray, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025 Louie is summoned to the apartment of Joe Black, a higher-up gangster played by John Malkovich with a manner so quizzical yet threatening that his voice just about quivers with unexpressed rage. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025 Page and her cameraman stumble onto the Kiritsis story very early on, and refuse to give it up once the higher-ups in the newsroom start paying attention as well. Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of higher-up was in 1902

Cite this Entry

“Higher-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/higher-up. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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