BOSSES Synonyms: 125 Similar and Opposite Words

bosses 1 of 2

noun

plural of boss

as in leaders

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bosses

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of boss

as in supervises

to be in charge of she bossed that project for years, until she was promoted again

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in rules

to exercise authority or power over bossed the entire job site for a year

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in leads

to serve as leader of bossed the entire gang of electricians on the construction project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 bosses

Noun

The ongoing sagas of Getz and Hoyer, two executives who got their jobs the old-school Chicago way — with no bothersome hiring searches conducted by their bosses — are ones that continue to fascinate me. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026 California’s bosses were adding jobs slowly but at a far faster pace than the rest of the nation in early 2026. — Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 3 Aug. 2026 The same survey found that 73% of managers admit to faking productivity for their own bosses. — Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 When the Eras Tour started, in 2023, Swift had been at war with the shadowy entities that owned her recordings—first, the bosses of her former label Big Machine Records, then the mogul Scooter Braun, who bought Big Machine, in 2019. — Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026 Although German sportswear brand Puma reported a slip in sales in the second quarter, the company’s bosses remain optimistic that their plan to bring the brand back to growth by 2027 is on the right track. — Cathrin Schaer, Footwear News, 31 July 2026 Also let go were correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega — and soon after, Scott Pelley, after a tense confrontation with his bosses over the changes. — Jocelyn Noveck, Fortune, 29 July 2026 In fact, 21 of the NHL’s 32 current coaches served as AHL bench bosses before making the jump. — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 27 July 2026 The Marvel bosses, naturally, came to dinner prepared with ideas on how to continue Steve’s story. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 26 July 2026

Verb

No harm, no foul — as long as the commission bosses back the changes, Zelden said. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026 Dano and Collette joined co-stars Abigail Breslin and Greg Kinnear and their director bosses Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris at the screening. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bosses

Noun

Boston community and city leaders say new safety measures are rolling out this week, after recent alarming violence in Downtown Boston around Boston Common and Downtown Crossing.

— Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
In the beginning of a pattern that would repeat for the next decade, Taylor Farms leaders pushed back on those FDA findings.

— Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of leaders

Verb

The State Board of Education supervises public K–12 education across the state, overseeing educational interests in Kansas.

— Zuri Primos July 26, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
David Smith, who supervises the district’s aedes crew, said his team has received an increasing number of service requests for day-biting mosquitoes within the neighborhood.

— Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of supervises

Verb

The proceedings will then go forward in a trial format, with an opportunity to appeal if the commission rules against him.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026
As such neither, as per Article 16 of the FIGC’s Sports Agents rules on incompatibility and conflict of interest, would have had to leave their roles in the event Pirlo senior secured the Italy job.

— James Horncastle, New York Times, 28 July 2026

Definition of rules

Verb

Chopping up their parents and teachers has never been so much fun as these kids take command gleefully and with joy as the ice cream man (actor Ari Millen in a dialogue-less performance) leads the band.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
More serious and rare than postpartum depression, psychosis leads patients to struggle with their perceptions of reality.

— Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of leads

Noun

Customers were very important; workers, foremen.

— Michael Kilian, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
For years after that, TCU alums who had served as Ranch Week foremen or queen would proudly include it on resumes, in professional biographies or when running for office.

— Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2025

Definition of foremen

Verb

The mortgage wholesaler sent a letter dated July 16 to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Fannie and Freddie, urging the agency to modify or postpone the changes.

— Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026
The Minnesota Department of Health oversees the assisted living facility.

— Conor Wight, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of oversees

Verb

Congress has not passed a farm bill — a legislative package normally done every five years that governs agricultural and food programs — since 2018.

— Justin Papp, CNBC, 30 July 2026
Christopherson said the wider drop-off defies the simple currency logic that normally governs foreign buying behavior.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 July 2026

Definition of governs

Verb

Athletic director Josh Whitman said the board, the biggest main video display in college football, commands attention.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
An Example of Where Specialization Already Pays Off The same trend shows up in fields where specialization already commands a premium.

— TerDawn DeBoe, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026