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
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 boss
Randall Colburn, EW.com, 22 May 2025
The two previously worked together at Disney for nearly 20 years alongside their boss, TikTok’s Chief Brand and Communications Officer Zenia Mucha.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 22 May 2025
Sabrina Eaton, cleveland, 6 Nov. 2020
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
Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
Initially, the teachers are grateful when the group arrives and Janine (Quinta Brunson) hits it off with Dee (Kaitlin Olson), while Ava (Janelle James) takes pride in being able to boss around Mac (Rob McElhenney).
—Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for boss
Noun
Alcock plays Simone, a young woman of meager means who becomes enchanted by the upper-crust life of her new boss, Michaela.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 22 May 2025
The two previously worked together at Disney for nearly 20 years alongside their boss, TikTok’s Chief Brand and Communications Officer Zenia Mucha.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 22 May 2025
Adjective
Binning notes that Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of the Niles area, a former Traficant aide who won his ex-boss' congressional seat, was re-elected Tuesday by his smallest-ever margin, defeating GOP former state legislator Christina Hagan by 7.5 percentage points.
—Sabrina Eaton, cleveland, 6 Nov. 2020
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
Both already full internationals, the Cameroonian and the Swede bossed it in the middle.
—Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
Initially, the teachers are grateful when the group arrives and Janine (Quinta Brunson) hits it off with Dee (Kaitlin Olson), while Ava (Janelle James) takes pride in being able to boss around Mac (Rob McElhenney).
—Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for boss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boss
Noun
-
However, today’s tech leaders’ political positions are a mixed bag.—
Tim Bajarin,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
-
Most of the United Irishmen’s leaders, including Fitzgerald, were arrested or killed in the dragnet.—
Joseph Patrick Kelly,
The Conversation,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
Amazon The latest MacBook Air (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is an excellent, lightweight laptop.—
Brenda Stolyar,
Wired News,
24 May 2025
-
The enchanting espionage comedy flaunts an excellent Benicio del Toro as a 1950s industrialist, who, after surviving an attempt on his life, names his estranged daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton) as heir to his empire.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
In 2023, Florida ended a more than two-decade experiment that saw child protective investigators employed and supervised by sheriff’s offices in seven counties, including Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco.—
Christopher O’Donnell,
Miami Herald,
17 May 2025
-
Over half of the meteorology positions the weather service is trying to fill are for lead meteorologist or more senior positions, including five meteorologists who supervise the forecast offices.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
Verb
-
Quick look at Wednesday's news: The Menendez brothers are eligible for parole, a judge ruled.—
Jane Onyanga-Omara,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
-
In 2009, nine years after she was sentenced to life in prison for her crimes, Sharee was able to leave prison after a judge ruled she should be retried amid questions over whether Cassaday's suicide note should be used as evidence, per ABC News.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
However, access is a steep and crumbling concrete staircase leading down to the river and boat tours.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2025
-
Donald Trump does not need to lead and govern this way.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2025
Noun
-
Did the foreman just admit the jury discussed the case prior to deliberations?—
Maureen Maher,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The Lodge, the Villa, and Antelope Ridge were used as guest accommodations that provide a variety of amenities like a game room, a wet bar, and an indoor jacuzzi, while ranch staff shacked up at the two foremen’s houses on the north and south ends of the ranch.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Shark can't escape trio of fish in 'awesome' underwater chase A remarkable scene unfolded in Florida waters as three fish began chasing a shark, which appeared to be pretty bothered by their attention.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2025
-
There will be lots of games, carnival-type rides, food booths, awesome entertainment and free admission.—
Terri Daxon,
Oc Register,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
Air traffic control staffing issues and equipment failures have made national headlines in recent weeks due to a series of telecommunications outages at a facility that oversees air traffic at the Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
-
The board oversees virtually every aspect of state elections, large and small, from setting rules dictating what makes ballots valid or invalid to monitoring compliance with campaign finance laws.—
Doug Bock Clark,
ProPublica,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Boss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boss. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share