ÉMINENCE GRISE Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

éminence grise

noun

ā-mē-näⁿs-ˈgrēz

Definition of éminence grise

as in elder statesman

the senior member of a group the revered éminence grise of Civil War historians

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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 éminence grise But none have matched JPMorgan, which, under the leadership of Wall Street’s eminence grise Jamie Dimon, has thrived. — Paolo Confino, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2024 Belafonte was 57, an eminence grise in entertainment, and his participation motivated lots of artists who admired him. — Rob Tannenbaum, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2024 Federer serving in the Sinatra/Clooney part as the eminence grise. — Jason Gay, WSJ, 24 Sep. 2022 That emotionally astute author, the eminence grise, the institutional memory. — Washington Post, 29 Dec. 2021 In the world of the candle obsessed, Diptyque is the eminence grise. — Kathleen Hou, The Cut, 16 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for éminence grise

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

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

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
Hahn previously was dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Arizona.

— Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 14 July 2026

Definition of dean

Noun

Or maybe the Medicare and Medicaid benefits that have been cut, leaving our elders unable to afford care and medicine?

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026
Then everyone—women, children, elders—search the ground with sticks and collect the walnuts.

— KATHERINE ROCHESTER, Artforum, 10 July 2026

Definition of elder

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“éminence grise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/%C3%A9minence%20grise. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of éminence grise

noun

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