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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in supervises
to be in charge of
she bossed that project for years, until she was promoted again
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in rules
to exercise authority or power over
bossed the entire job site for a year
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
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
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Recent Examples of bosses
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
At the beginning of the industrial revolution, the big bosses considered women inferior to their male counterparts (weaker, more emotional, less reliable, and so forth).
—Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
The reaction of the teams’ two bosses said everything about their ages, contrasting experience, and the game state.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Nicole’s jab results in her being ousted from her job by bosses Jason and Brett Oppenheim, who seemingly fire her from the brokerage.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
The phrase itself captures a whole ecosystem of dysfunction — from gaslighting bosses to ambitious colleagues fiercely defending their little fiefdoms.
—Big Think, 30 Oct. 2025
Still, nearly 50% of Gen Z workers admitted to lying to their bosses about streaming during the workday, according to the Tubi survey.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
And the big bosses upstairs decided that his haircut was not going to be recognizable on the cover.
—Charlotte Triggs, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Tymoshenko got their commander on the phone, and ran to find his bosses in the bunker.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
Since the beginning of this administration, Silicon Valley’s biggest bosses have appeased the president, capitulating to his every whim — agreeing to pay export taxes, giving away equity to the government, defunding schools for Latino students and ending diversity programs.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
At the beginning of the industrial revolution, the big bosses considered women inferior to their male counterparts (weaker, more emotional, less reliable, and so forth).
—Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
The reaction of the teams’ two bosses said everything about their ages, contrasting experience, and the game state.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Nicole’s jab results in her being ousted from her job by bosses Jason and Brett Oppenheim, who seemingly fire her from the brokerage.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
The phrase itself captures a whole ecosystem of dysfunction — from gaslighting bosses to ambitious colleagues fiercely defending their little fiefdoms.
—Big Think, 30 Oct. 2025
Still, nearly 50% of Gen Z workers admitted to lying to their bosses about streaming during the workday, according to the Tubi survey.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
And the big bosses upstairs decided that his haircut was not going to be recognizable on the cover.
—Charlotte Triggs, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Tymoshenko got their commander on the phone, and ran to find his bosses in the bunker.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bosses
Noun
-
Minneapolis leaders are pushing for state law enforcement to be part of a joint investigation with the FBI into Wednesday's shooting.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Last January, Navajo leaders advised citizens to carry their Certificate of Indian Blood or tribal identification card.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sebastio supervises retail, finance and an in-house team of three designers for product consistency, as the brand was first inspired by his own and his father’s wardrobe.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The assistant chief directly supervises section commanders, providing leadership, mentorship and guidance.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The sector may face another twist if the US Supreme Court rules Trump’s tariffs were issued illegally, a decision that could come as soon as Friday.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
If the Supreme Court rules that Trump’s new tariffs are unlawful under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the court could then say that companies that have paid the duties so far are entitled to refunds.—
Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Loveland, who played collegiately at Michigan, leads the Bears with 58 receptions for 713 yards and six touchdowns.—
Rachel Roberts,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
-
McMillan, as Dowdle recited from memory, leads all rookies in receiving yards with 1,014.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
Verb
-
As chief engineering officer, Eric Lefebvre sets and oversees technology strategy for Jaggaer.—
Eric Lefebvre,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The committee, which is made up of three white members, three Black members, three Hispanic members and two Asian members, also oversees efforts to recruit more minority teachers and solicit scholarships for minority students.—
Milla Surjadi,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, both sides will continue pretrial work under the Classified Information Procedures Act, which governs how classified evidence is handled.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Watson, newcomers Andrew Kump, Jermaine Howard and Carlos Pacheco III and incumbents Andrew Davis and Chuck Stites will serve on the eleven-member board of commissioners that governs the Unified Government and sets county policies.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Pakistan’s army chief, General Syed Asim Munir, was awarded the rank of Field Marshal, and commands wide public and political support.—
Rafia Zakaria,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The design commands attention with its dramatic proportions.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bosses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bosses. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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