as in leader
the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do
every morning the boss hands out a list of top-priority tasks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
slang
as in excellent
of the very best kind
that's a really boss stereo you've got
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to supervise
to be in charge of
she bossed that project for years, until she was promoted again
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to rule
to exercise authority or power over
bossed the entire job site for a year
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to lead
to serve as leader of
bossed the entire gang of electricians on the construction project
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of boss
Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026
In downtown Fort Worth, former employees slipped in to hug and chat with past colleagues and bosses, creating little emotional snippets mostly unseen by busy, preoccupied shoppers.
—Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 20 Nov. 2025
This excludes things like putting in legendaries for end of mission rewards or taking them out of non-boss chests.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2021
Essence, 30 Dec. 2025
He is getting bossed around by grandma throughout the entire movie.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for boss
Noun
All of a sudden, this is one of the most popular shows in the world, and the main character has a boss who’s a person of color.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026
In downtown Fort Worth, former employees slipped in to hug and chat with past colleagues and bosses, creating little emotional snippets mostly unseen by busy, preoccupied shoppers.
—Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
That’s basically the boss level of the shopping game—and usually requires hours of research.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 20 Nov. 2025
This excludes things like putting in legendaries for end of mission rewards or taking them out of non-boss chests.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2021
Verb
Throughout her career, Beyoncé has taken every opportunity to boss up and better her craft, keeping her razor-sharp talent and intention at the forefront of each decision].
—Essence, 30 Dec. 2025
He is getting bossed around by grandma throughout the entire movie.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for boss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boss
Noun
-
The protest, organized by national anti-death penalty organizations Death Penalty Action and Worth Rise, was attended mostly by local faith leaders and members.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
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Thousands of people are calling on Charlotte leaders to stop a data center from setting up shop southeast of Reedy Creek Nature Preserve.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Horned Frogs had a mix of air raid and veer-and-shoot principles under Briles, but are expected to move more to a pro-style scheme under Sammis, who had excellent success with that style of offense at UConn.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
-
In the pre-show rooms, both real-life actors seen were excellent at interacting with real-life visitors and prerecorded monotone movie stars.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The drones then fly themselves to the location of a call, and are supervised by a drone operator.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
While the mayor campaigned on educating kids as young as 6 weeks, his plans so far have started with 2-year-old children, who are typically less complicated — and costly — to supervise than infants.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the challenge in the middle of oral arguments, even while ruling against the civil rights of Japanese American citizens in other cases considered at the same time.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Minnesota public universities can continue to offer in-state tuition and scholarships to some immigrants in the country without legal status, a federal judge ruled on Friday, dismissing a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice last summer that attempted to halt the programs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Kathryn Romeyn is a freelance travel, design, and wellness journalist living in Los Angeles and Bali whose curiosity about the world leads her on frequent beautiful adventures.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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Accordingly, here’s a look at 10 high-paying careers that are dominated – or at least led – by women.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The jury foreman, who provided only his first name, Matthew, said jurors tried to keep their emotions and personal experiences out of deliberations.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
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Courtney will next be seen in Paramount +’s The Dutton Ranch, a spin-off of Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone, as the imposing and unpredictable ranch foreman, Rob-Will.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Disciples of Soul were awesome; great horns and backup singers.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The mentality, the approaches, have all been awesome.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In February, the judge overseeing the case dismissed several claims against the bank, but let stand two others.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
-
One called Rabin’s government a Judenrat, the Nazi term for Jewish councils appointed to oversee ghettos.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Boss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boss. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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