ASSISTANT Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

assistant 1 of 2

noun

ə-ˈsi-stənt

Definition of assistant

as in aide

a person who helps a more skilled person the chief assistant to the director

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

assistant

2 of 2

adjective

as in assisting

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 assistant

Noun

By contrast, a research assistant who simply looks up stock market data from Brazil, for example, could easily be replaced by AI. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026 The fact is Microsoft is now doing better on the front end, integrating its Copilot AI assistant to the mix. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Los Angeles also parted ways with general manager Raegan Pebley in July, leaving assistant general managers Zach Knowlton and Nate Nielsen in charge on an interim basis. — Amber Harding, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Owner Jim Crane spent most of the middle innings in separate huddles with assistant general managers Connor Huff and Gavin Dickey. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assistant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for assistant

Noun

Burnham plans to work there at least one day a week, alongside a full-time staff of aides, experts and civil servants.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
Amanda DeSimone-Shabrack relies on a home healthcare aide to help her high-needs autistic 12-year-old son.

— Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of aide

Adjective

If your style leans a bit more sporty, this supportive shoe is an easy pick.

— Kate Donovan, Southern Living, 30 July 2026
Today, Daley is two years into recovery, has reconnected with his daughter and lives at Sun Rose Apartments, an 82-unit permanent supportive housing community.

— Conor McGill, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Definition of supportive

Noun

Jagetz described tattooing as a profession that remains heavily male dominated, where apprentices are frequently expected to tolerate inappropriate behavior because obtaining a license often depends on the person training them.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
Pennsylvania touts nearly 150 pre-apprenticeship programs serving 3,200 pre-apprentices.

— Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of apprentice

Adjective

The prosecutor noted Patten's cooperation, his good behavior while free awaiting his sentencing, and his subordinate role to the Cokers in the scheme.

— Dan Mangan, CNBC, 21 July 2026
Executive Vulnerability How a leader reacts in the five-second window after being corrected by a subordinate determines the future of that company’s innovation.

— William DeCourcy, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of subordinate

Noun

Experts like Chen Gang, the deputy director and senior research fellow at NUS East Asian Institute, are positive that this momentum will lead to long-term gains for Chinese chipmakers.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
Because of Micron’s corporate structure, the company needed to take the exemption two times, requiring it to pay on a maximum of $800 million in assessed value, according to Brad Smith, chief deputy at the Ada County Assessor’s Office.

— Mark Dee August 2, Idaho Statesman, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of deputy

Noun

While Viking sagas mention rhythmic chants to aid oarsmen, the dramatic, coordinated movements seen today bear little resemblance to actual Viking rowing techniques.

— Bailey Berg, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
The two governments are promising aid packages to help people who have lost homes or businesses.

— Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of aid

Noun

But that hasn’t stopped out-of-state reenactors from worrying their muskets will be confiscated at the George Washington Bridge, says Justin Costantino, adjutant of the Long Island Companies of the 3rd New York Regiment.

— Allen G. Breed, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
In the months since fellow senior Legion executives suspended Abrahamson without pay from his statewide adjutant job in April, a number of the roughly 8,000 members in Idaho have called for a change in leadership.

— Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 13 July 2024

Definition of adjutant

Noun

These hearty legumes are often seen with their favorite veggie-plate sidekick, turnip greens.

— Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 25 July 2026
The cast is rounded out by Chloe Fineman, Patton Oswalt, Fortune Feimster, Chris Parnell, Ben Stiller and a scene-stealing Aaron Chen as Dusty’s trusty sidekick.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 24 July 2026

Definition of sidekick

Browse Nearby Words

assistances

assistant

assistants

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Assistant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assistant. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of assistant

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on assistant

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

élan

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes