above 1 of 4

preposition

Definition of abovenext
as in atop
higher than one minute our kite was above the telephone wires; the next minute it was tangled in them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

above

2 of 4

adverb

ə-ˈbəv How to pronounce above (audio)
as in overhead
to or in a higher place we eventually got used to the planes constantly flying above

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

above

3 of 4

noun

as in sky
a dwelling place of perfect happiness for the soul after death in her dying days she was supposedly visited by an angel from above

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

above

4 of 4

adjective

as in aforementioned

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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 above
Preposition
In Chan’s apartment, a gallery wall is hung above the bed and paintings above the sofa to give the feeling of the open space operating as a bedroom on one side, and a living room on another. — Sophia Herring, Architectural Digest, 9 Sep. 2026 My aunt was sitting at a round, wooden table with her left hand wrapped around a styrofoam Wienerschitzel cup on the table; her right hand rested above her stomach. — Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
Adverb
For one thing, the regulatory environment is much more demanding, as outlined above, to say nothing of the fact that all the low-hanging fruit has been picked from the vine decades ago. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 9 Sep. 2026 If enough teammates in a specific workgroup are demonstrating viable use cases, consider having the department foot its own AI bill (see above). — Chris Stegh, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Noun
All of the above makes Queensland, Australia, a top 2023 travel destination for you. — Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Dec. 2022 All of the above could have been at play Friday night for Kaneland and junior quarterback Troyer Carlson. — Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2022
Adjective
Maine, for example, has the nation’s highest proportion of its population living in rural areas and an above-average share of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. — Daniel Payne, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026 The good thing for the Heat, though, is Thompson is still an above-average volume three-point shooter. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for above
Recent Examples of Synonyms for above
  1. atop
  2. overhead
  3. sky
  4. aforementioned
  5. over
  6. upward
  7. heaven
  8. aforesaid
Preposition
  • Three firefighters stand atop a pile of twisted steel and debris, raising an American flag above the ruins of the World Trade Center.
    — Thomas E. Franklin, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Transfer them to the fridge on Sunday (atop a plate to catch any residual liquid as they thaw).
    — Hana Asbrink, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of atop
Adverb
  • Tucker Kraft Day is a real thing, too, and the whole town gathered on Main Street in their Kraft gear while a drone flew overhead.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Stepping inside one with feet apart and hands raised overhead now is a familiar ritual for most travelers.
    — Rio Yamat, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of overhead
Noun
  • And that, Casey said, is what separates Judge, a man obsessed with being great, a star who is always looking for an edge, a metric, a way to use every minute of every day to reach for the most distant constellation in the baseball sky.
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The dodecahedron, on the other hand, was associated with the aether and the starry sky.
    — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of sky
Adjective
  • Still, with all the aforementioned accomplishments, and decades later, Steinem said that her naysayers used her bunny work in an attempt to discredit her.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Unlike the aforementioned 2014 release, the Air Jordan 6 Retro OG Sport Blue’s second-ever reissue will come with more true-to-spec Nike Air heel stitching.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of aforementioned
Preposition
  • That feels very much in tune with the anxious characters Eisenberg has played over the course of his acting career, but this whole directing thing is working out nicely for him, too.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
  • In England, boxer Jane Couch took the British Board of Boxing Control to an industrial tribunal over their refusal to grant her (or any woman) a professional boxing licence.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of over
Adverb
  • The price of diesel fuel has hit an all-time high as wars on two continents and a global refinery shortage combined with higher seasonal demand to push prices upward.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
  • A lot is going on, and most of the pressure continues to point upwards for long rates.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of upward
Noun
  • This world’s heavens are lit with cosmic rays, its cityscapes otherworldly — everything seems to service an unabashed romanticism.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • And thanks to Tucson’s extraordinarily dark heavens, the Sonoran skyscape takes center stage with Peace Among the Stars.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of heaven
Adjective
  • On several occasions this writer has had the pleasure of gazing at the aforesaid state capitol building at Tallahassee … which looked, at first glance, like a garage only there was a kind of dome on top and garages usually do not have domes.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2026
  • Still and thankfully, the aforesaid incident doesn’t stop Lauren from attending a wedding with Sean in Palm Springs, which is when things take a real turn towards Lauren’s self-actualization.
    — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of aforesaid

Phrases Containing above

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about-turns
above
aboveboard
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Cite this Entry

“Above.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/above. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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