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

The franchise was canceled after a 2006 Texas operation in which Rockwall County assistant district attorney Louis Conradt died by suicide as authorities and the show’s crew closed in on his home. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026 The tech giant invested heavily in promoting them, collaborating with celebrity influencer Kylie Jenner on a pair of Ray-Bans featuring an AI assistant that speaks in her voice. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The new role included the same compensation as her assistant athletic trainer position, sources said. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026 After Walter purchased the team last June, the Lakers fired vice president of research and development Joey Buss and assistant general manager Jesse Buss a few months later. — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assistant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for assistant

Noun

GuamAmerican SamoaCaliforniaHawaiiAlaska 7 of 11 A 35-year-old White House aide, known for rarely leaving the president’s side, came under public scrutiny this week after Senator Jon Ossoff mentioned her during a campaign speech.

— New York Times, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Trump aides are engaging and even hitting back on the staff stories, including a subtweet from Dan Scavino that made the rounds among DC Republicans.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of aide

Adjective

The race highlighted how support for Israel is becoming prominent issue in this year's election as more Democrats have become less supportive.

— Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
But her kindly and supportive cop boyfriend Nick (Brandon Perea) rightly insists that the duo should perhaps move out of the house when Gemma’s habitual nightmares intensify.

— Tomris Laffly, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of supportive

Noun

The construction of the statue, completed in 1852, involved an enslaved apprentice.

— Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
During his first two years as a starter, Santori was the apprentice who carefully studied the game and developed organically under the influence of his older peers.

— Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of apprentice

Adjective

Though Overton and Kennedy have worked closely on a range of health priorities, some people familiar with the dynamic questioned how the two would mesh if Overton moves from the White House to an FDA role that is technically subordinate to Kennedy.

— Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
These reforms, however, remain embedded in a judiciary that is subordinate to Communist Party leadership.

— Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of subordinate

Noun

In 2019, deputies arrived at a Denver-area STEM school while shooting was still going on inside, the local sheriff said at the time.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
On arrival, deputies located the teens, both males, at a fire station before they were taken to a hospital.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of deputy

Noun

Officers attempted to render medical aid until medics arrived on the scene, but the man was ultimately pronounced dead.

— Patrick Damp, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
And among all the driver aids and autonomous kit there’s even a dedicated Pet Mode to safely keep the cabin cool while parked.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 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

For those who like handcuffs for their lead back, Saquon Barkley’s sidekick is a must draft.

— Brad Evans, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
After revealing the start of production on a new Descendants film featuring the children of some of Disney’s most beloved sidekicks, Disney Channel has added some additional cast members to the upcoming project.

— Katie Campione, Deadline, 18 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of assistant

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

tilde

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes