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
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
Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
This is a very special week to pitch ideas to bosses or powerful figures.
—Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
This means that everyone from our romantic partners to our bosses are all being influenced by the same energy—so pay close attention.
—Hannah Madlener, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2026
The documentary includes an interview with a whistleblower who claimed bosses told him to doctor evidence to exculpate the agency in the death of Hernández Rojas.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Stereotypes stick, and some bosses have already made up their minds on Gen Z workers.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
The constant links to United’s heritage are much discussed and debated, especially among non-MUFC media and fans, but those bosses — some of them very experienced at the very highest level — can’t all have been wrong.
—Ian Irving, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
But then so are some of the other bosses, which is why the central characters make a plan to kill them.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
There is so much energy in Falk’s writing that the reader can feel tensions in the city as officials, some working secretly with the bosses, try to stop the cigar factory women from organizing, call them Communists and demean them for being Polish.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
This is a very special week to pitch ideas to bosses or powerful figures.
—Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
This means that everyone from our romantic partners to our bosses are all being influenced by the same energy—so pay close attention.
—Hannah Madlener, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2026
The documentary includes an interview with a whistleblower who claimed bosses told him to doctor evidence to exculpate the agency in the death of Hernández Rojas.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Stereotypes stick, and some bosses have already made up their minds on Gen Z workers.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
The constant links to United’s heritage are much discussed and debated, especially among non-MUFC media and fans, but those bosses — some of them very experienced at the very highest level — can’t all have been wrong.
—Ian Irving, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
But then so are some of the other bosses, which is why the central characters make a plan to kill them.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bosses
Noun
-
City leaders in El Cajon decided the city will not store homeless individuals’ personal belongings after encampments are cleared.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
-
City leaders approved a $27 million settlement in 2021 to resolve a wrongful death lawsuit brought by Floyd's family.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The position directly supervises all parole agent specialists and parole agent supervisors assigned to the Division of Training Unit.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
January 5,
Sacbee.com,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The Holdovers Set in 1970s New England, The Holdovers follows a cranky prep school teacher (Paul Giamatti) who reluctantly supervises students stuck on campus over Christmas break.—
Lydia Price,
PEOPLE,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
-
Naturally, Rue is captured by Laurie again, only to later become a bargaining chip in an exchange with another nefarious figure (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) who apparently oversees some kind of escorting empire.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
14 Jan. 2026
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The city is responsible for negotiating its public servants’ health insurance contracts, and the board oversees that relationship.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In September 2025, however, the lender filed a new notice of default that governs the current foreclosure efforts.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
No federal regulatory body governs the health information provided to AI chatbots, and ChatGPT provides technology services that are not within the scope of HIPAA.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For example, just six countries account for roughly two-thirds of mining production, and China alone commands about 40% of global smelting capacity.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Privately, however, sources described a violent struggle over control of the military— who commands it, who coordinates it — and who may soon deploy it against internal rivals.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bosses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bosses. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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