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
Riann Phillip, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
Eight of Villa’s starting XI against Chelsea in their most recent game last Wednesday were at the club in 2021 under then manager Dean Smith, never mind his successor, Steven Gerrard, or the current boss, Unai Emery.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 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
Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025
Though Mayweather bossed the bout while appearing to go half-speed, no winner was declared.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for boss
Noun
Bessette’s boss, fashion designer Calvin Klein (Alessandro Nivola) introduces them.
—Riann Phillip, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
Eight of Villa’s starting XI against Chelsea in their most recent game last Wednesday were at the club in 2021 under then manager Dean Smith, never mind his successor, Steven Gerrard, or the current boss, Unai Emery.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 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
He is getting bossed around by grandma throughout the entire movie.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025
Though Mayweather bossed the bout while appearing to go half-speed, no winner was declared.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for boss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boss
Noun
-
The conflict was sparked by Hezbollah targeting Israel after the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, breaking a 2024 ceasefire that in any case had largely failed.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Now that local leaders have cleared the way, CoreCivic can begin accepting detainees under its $60 million-a-year contract with ICE.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The large cast of smaller roles and chorus is excellent.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Evans Scholars must have a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character, the release said.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Temporary monitoring, including fire watch coverage, may help show that building managers took steps to supervise the property while repairs were underway.—
Matthew Kayser,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
-
All schools will be open, breakfast and lunch will be provided, and all students will be properly supervised.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While discussing the current compensation system in college sports, the president went on a tirade against the Supreme Court for unanimously ruling against the NCAA’s restrictions on noncash compensation for college athletes in 2021.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The company, however, remains entangled in several ongoing lawsuits, including one in which a state judge ruled last week that Sable still needed to comply with state and local requirements before a restart as outlined in the federal consent decree that followed the 2015 spill.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Fresh from Ferragamo’s FW26 show, makeup artist Thom Walker is leading makeup; hairstylist Tom Wright, who worked with Marni and Diesel this season, will do hair; and Simone Schofer cast the show.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
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The second half would be as testy as the first half promised, with neither team leading by more than three points until a late 9-0 run from the Falcons gave them a 63-57 edge with 2 minutes remaining.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Just days into construction, their foreman called to report finding human bones in the ground.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Place, a foreman and driver for Camelback Moving, asked the guard what was happening.—
Sydney Page The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s what makes fandom so awesome.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The people of Florida are awesome.—
March 8,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Conflicting Iranian statements came from two of the three members of the leadership council overseeing Iran since Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the war's opening airstrikes.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Board chair Ward recused himself in February from the candidate selection due to a potential conflict of interest — candidate Lesley Lavery is the co-chair of the dissertation committee overseeing Ward’s doctoral dissertation at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Ga.—
Imani Cruzen,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Boss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boss. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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