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

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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

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as in rules

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

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as in leads

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

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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

After Hegseth made his announcement, the reactions were mixed, even among his bosses. — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026 That disconnect could prove costly at a moment when employees are looking to their bosses to bring the workforce together. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 International energy bosses were largely absent from this week’s World Petroleum Council Energy Congress, held in Riyadh for the first time, after the Houthi attack. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026 In the long-running web series, hosts interview everyday consumers on the street and then negotiate massive product discounts directly with company bosses, securing bargains for contestants. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026 Her endorsement list also includes former bosses Ros-Lehtinen and Bovo, both of whom have donated to her campaign, and her current boss, FIU president Nuñez. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 In July, Puma reported a slip in sales in the second quarter, but the company’s bosses remain optimistic that their plan to bring the brand back to growth by 2027 is on the right track. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026 As more employees use AI in their day-to-day, bosses need to change their approach to managing given this new means of work, says Aparna Nair, IBM's chief talent, leadership & culture officer. — Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026 Also, one of Messi’s bosses at Inter Miami, co-owner Jorge Mas, is a shareholder at Real Zaragoza, who were in this division until their relegation last season. — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Verb

Brener’s jump to the new Skydance comes in the wake of DC Studios bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran also making the transition. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026 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

The latest friction and finger-pointing between the two leaders is yet another data point in what has been at times a combustible relationship.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
The older contingent of media and entertainment leaders have to come to grips with the fact that the world’s population is getting younger.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of leaders

Verb

Frot-Coutaz also supervises Sky Studios Elstree, Sky’s state-of-the-art film and TV studio, plus Sky Studios’ global portfolio of production companies that includes Blast!

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
Jim DeFrain, who supervises the investigation and the Metropolitan Explosive Disposal Unit, said initial testing indicated the presence of hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of supervises

Verb

Florida High School Athletic Association rules state that runners who don’t participate in district meets are ineligible for region races.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Rebekka Nygård Bak, an adviser to Greenland’s fisheries ministry, told the outlet that rules requiring bycatch-friendly equipment and better bycatch reporting could also help.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of rules

Verb

The film is currently in production in Paris and focuses on Banderas’ Cortés as a glory-hungry soldier in 1519 who leads an expedition to the Yucatán.

— Corbin Bolies, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Geopolitics is the biggest challenge to BYD’s overseas expansion, executive vice president Stella Li, who leads the Chinese EV giant’s global growth, acknowledged at an event this month.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 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

Under the rules of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), which governs high school sports in the state, such a switch is permitted.

— Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
The role will also oversee political giving as the company seeks a bigger voice in how Washington governs AI.

— Diane Brady, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of governs

Verb

Around 72% of managers plan to boost pay for recruits with relevant AI skills, and 42% say that knowledge commands a greater surcharge than other technical skills.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Lula is renowned as a smart and effective campaigner and still commands a powerful electoral machinery.

— David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026