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

Yesterday’s punk, grunge, and rebel-outsider upstarts have an uncanny way of evolving into today’s elder statesmen of respectable infamy.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
The squad’s elder statesmen set standards on the pitch and in the dressing room to help their more junior colleagues along their journey.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of elder statesman

Noun

The 30-year veteran firefighter was battling pancreatic cancer.

— Ginger Allen, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
As for music, expect a broad menu of noisemakers with national, regional and local buzz, programmed by co-organizer and veteran music promoter Steev Rullman of PureHoney Magazine and Bumblefest fame.

— Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of veteran

Noun

Davis had a close friendship with Sam Goren, the Pembroke Pines city attorney and dean of local government lawyers in Broward.

— Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
According to Coin, James Spencer went on to become a commander in the Navy and a dean and provost at Cornell University.

— Katie Howe, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of dean

Noun

After four days, Ayesha says her family secured her release with the help of community elders, paying a ransom, and providing a formal guarantee of her future conduct.

— Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2026
On Tuesday, the San Diego County district attorney’s office announced its decision to pursue capital punishment against Leticia McCormack, who was an ordained elder and youth minister at a San Diego church.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 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 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of éminence grise

noun

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