as in elder
the senior member of a group
the dean of the Aspen ski instructors oversaw the training of the rescue team
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Recent Examples of dean
In response, Cecil Howard, the associate provost and interim dean of the law school, on Monday issued a message to students, obtained by the Orlando Sentinel, that said the word was not restricted and that the university’s leadership had not issued the directive.
—
Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Rama Yelkur, the executive dean of the business school at Texas Women’s University, has run a Super Bowl research panel for 25 years.
—Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
The plan would cap A grades at 20% of undergraduates, with some flexibility, across courses and departments if it’s approved by faculty ahead of the 2026-2027 school year, Amanda Claybaugh, dean of undergraduate education, said in an email on Friday that included a 19-page outline of the plan.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
With the support of her adviser, department chair and dean, Gnacinski decided to apply for the position.
—Kate Kealey, Des Moines Register, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dean
Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Rama Yelkur, the executive dean of the business school at Texas Women’s University, has run a Super Bowl research panel for 25 years.
—Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
The plan would cap A grades at 20% of undergraduates, with some flexibility, across courses and departments if it’s approved by faculty ahead of the 2026-2027 school year, Amanda Claybaugh, dean of undergraduate education, said in an email on Friday that included a 19-page outline of the plan.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
With the support of her adviser, department chair and dean, Gnacinski decided to apply for the position.
—Kate Kealey, Des Moines Register, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dean
Noun
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Seeing East African and Southeast Asian elders sitting by the windows of their apartments, watching the streets, brought back memories of growing up near Siigaale Market, and watching people with my grandparents.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
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Kangidluasuk serves as a base for Parks Canada researchers and Inuit elders who pass on their historic and cultural knowledge to the youths.—
Robert Annis,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Stafford, a 17-year veteran, won the award by finishing ahead of New England quarterback Drake Maye in balloting by a panel of 50 journalists who regularly cover the NFL.—
Gary Klein,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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The Seahawks ranked third in total pressures and seventh in sacks this season, thanks to a front seven that includes a rotating set of outside linebackers in veterans DeMarcus Lawrence and Uchenna Nwosu and younger pass rushers Derick Hall and Boye Mafe.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Murray’s focus on tax measures in his quote may dampen expectations that the Labour government is about to improve the high-end TV tax credit, which industry doyens have been calling for for some time now.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
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Senator Chuck Schumer, doyen of the party’s establishment wing and one of the country’s most-prominent Jewish politicians, never publicly backed Mamdani.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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And while Nixon did not want an official state funeral, he was honored as a beloved elder statesman, complete with a daylong period of national mourning.—
Jamelle Bouie,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Broncos elder statesman Garett Bolles had never made a Pro Bowl in his eight previous seasons in Denver, and so Natalie Bolles took matters into her own hands on Dec. 7, when her husband still hadn’t received his Pro Bowl graphic.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
23 Dec. 2025
Noun
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In the program, mostly juniors and seniors guide other high school students across the grade levels, working one-on-one and in groups to help those who are struggling.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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While some seniors prefer the convenience of city living, others yearn for the quiet mornings and quaint downtowns of a small town.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dean. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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