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
Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2026
Fans of the original 2006 film will know that Streep’s ice-cold magazine boss, Miranda Priestly, is loosely based on Wintour, who was editor-in-chief of American Vogue from 1988 to 2025.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 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
Beren Cross, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for boss
Noun
Amid the backlash, Wireless festival boss Melvin Benn defended the booking.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2026
Fans of the original 2006 film will know that Streep’s ice-cold magazine boss, Miranda Priestly, is loosely based on Wintour, who was editor-in-chief of American Vogue from 1988 to 2025.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 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
Leeds United had bossed the first half and David Moyes felt there was little alternative but to copy Daniel Farke.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for boss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boss
Noun
-
The city’s been the leader in that area for almost a year.—
Desiree Mathurin
April 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The Hickman Mills School District is currently about $14 million in debt, a figure which district leaders attribute partly to financial mismanagement and partly to recent changes to the Jackson County property tax assessment cycle.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Alliums are excellent neighbors to beets, brassicas, tomatoes, and more.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2026
-
This bracelet makes an excellent Mother’s Day jewelry gift.—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mortensen’s lawyer Daniela Diaz said that her client is requesting that child visitation be supervised by a facility that can act as a go-between.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
7 Apr. 2026
-
That includes ethical duties to verify information and supervise tools-AI included.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The fight to fly ultralights from the Yuba County Airport has continued months after the county ended its yearslong ban of the small aircraft, with the Federal Aviation Administration now poised to rule on the claims of discrimination and lack of compliance alleged by ultralight pilots.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The medical examiner ruled Mitchell's death a homicide from blunt force trauma, according to prosecutors.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Portland led by 14 at halftime and stretched it to 96-78 late in the third.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Plaza Midwood home prices Despite being considered a competitive market by Redfin, Plaza Midwood led the city in home price decrease from February 2025 and February 2026.—
Chase Jordan
April 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Nusku encouraged his fellow Igigi to rebel by setting fire to their tools and surrounding the house of Ellil, an Anunnaki leader and their foreman.—
Shanti Escalante-De Mattei,
ARTnews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
On July 2, A ranch foreman checking on sheep finds strange debris spread over a prairie near Roswell, New Mexico.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But these guys are awesome shooters, man.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
There’s tons of awesome stuff happening outside of Austin with Noah Hawley and the [Taylor] Sheridan stuff.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Kansas City Election Board oversees elections for Kansas City, Missouri, residents who live south of the river.—
Rashad Alexander,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The project was overseen by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the President’s brother and the nation’s spymaster.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Boss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boss. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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