1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

colleague

noun

ˈkä-(ˌ)lēg How to pronounce colleague (audio)
Definition of colleaguenext
as in partner
a fellow worker on her first day at work her colleagues went out of their way to make her feel welcome

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 colleague Alongside his alien colleague Eyera (Tom Waits), Gunn embarks on a case wrapped up in scandal and mystery. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026 Physical obstacles to a physics breakthrough Another aspect of Bobrick and his colleagues' work involves the identification of some of the greatest remaining physical obstacles to superluminal warp travel. — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2026 From Art Marcum and Matt Holloway, Disavowed follows legendary CIA Case Officer Brad Griffin (James Marsden), who is abruptly fired in the middle of a global hunt for an elusive assassin responsible for killing his colleague. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026 Spatola leaves behind his wife, Jamie Krzyzewski, three children and a wide circle of colleagues lauding his character, humility and passion for basketball. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for colleague
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colleague
  1. partner
  2. coworker
  3. associate
  4. buddy
  5. peer
  6. fellow
Noun
  • And then there’s my father’s brother and somebody else, a business partner.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Waltz said the administration wants to hear directly from its Gulf partners about their concerns, describing the collective meeting as an important diplomatic opportunity.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of partner
Noun
  • The comedian will star in the series as Bev, the longtime best friend and coworker of Dawn, a Midwestern woman in her late 50s working at her local Catholic church, who comes out as bisexual.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Not just the patient's premiums, but those of coworkers or anyone else on the health plan.
    — Bo Evans, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of coworker
Noun
  • Thomas, who goes by the nickname Danny Tommo, is a longtime associate of far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson.
    — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Kingsborough students majoring in maritime technology graduate with 225 days of sea time, an associate’s degree, and a promise of employment in great jobs with good pay along the working waterfront.
    — Julie Raskin, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of associate
Noun
  • Rosé lives the California dream, as her buddies drop into empty swimming pools on skateboards, bounce on mattresses and get up to good, clean fun.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Aura’s new slate — which included Trap House, the paramedic buddy comedy Code 3 with Rainn Wilson and Lil Rel Howery, the comedy K-Pops!
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of buddy
Noun
  • For all its trials and tribulations, Chicagoland retains enviable advantages vis-a-vis other metro areas, but its growth over more than a decade seriously lags many of those peer regions.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Saying white players such as Clark or Bueckers should pay homage to their Black peers is as absurd as saying Steph Curry and Jalen Brunson should pay homage to their tall peers.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of peer
Noun
  • Haddow, a senior fellow on public policy with the association, said he's heard numerous people tell lawmakers over the years how kratom has improved their lives.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Then, Miami must also contain outside receiving threats in Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Miami’s own Tyquan Thornton, plus Walker and fellow running back Emmett Johnson catching the ball out of the backfield.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of fellow

Browse Nearby Words

collations
colleague
colleagues
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Colleague.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colleague. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All