DEAN Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

dean

noun

ˈdēn

Definition of dean

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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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 dean The dean is known for playing a key role in papal transitions and is often considered a top contender himself. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 14 Oct. 2026 Luis Antonio Tagle, 69, a Filipino cardinal, was appointed by Pope Leo XIV as the new dean of the College of Cardinals, elevating his profile as a papal contender in the process. — Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026 The dean of students said her office was investigating fraternities over allegations of physical assault, hazing and drug use. — Amy B Wang, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026 He was nominated for the award by his supervisor at Moraine Valley, Terra Jacobson, dean of Learning Resources, who also teaches a graduate class at Dominican, along with colleagues Marie Martino and Jayne Killackey. — Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dean

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dean

Noun

Fawn Youngbear-Tibbetts, the group's executive director, said then that recordings of elders' stories on old tapes were likely melted.

— Eric Henderson, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
The day of the shooting, after Roberts took his own life at the scene, while the victims were flown to the nearest hospital, an Amish elder publicly forgave Roberts before the news cameras.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of elder

Noun

Then Kreiz took the mallet and landed a cannon-shot ring on the bell that was so loud that one of the Citadel traders turned around in shock, and even Wall Street veteran Gerry Cardinale’s eyebrows were raised.

— Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
Seiber, 40, was a father of two and an Air Force veteran who served 10 years with the Philadelphia Police Department.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of veteran

Noun

One of the doyens of Portuguese coaching, who has managed each of the big three in their home country and led Al Hilal to the title in 2023-24 after a 34-game unbeaten streak, was personally convinced by Ronaldo to cross the divide.

— Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Back home in Budapest, fellow academics and foreign diplomats marvel at the doyen of Hungarian foreign policy who doesn’t speak Hungarian.

— Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 6 Apr. 2026

Definition of doyen

Noun

Yesterday’s punk, grunge, and rebel-outsider upstarts have an uncanny way of evolving into today’s elder statesmen of respectable infamy.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
The squad’s elder statesmen set standards on the pitch and in the dressing room to help their more junior colleagues along their journey.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of elder statesman

Noun

Access is included with standard garden admission, which costs $18 for adults, $14 for seniors or students and $8 for children ages 3 to 12.

— Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Looking for safety Michele, the parent of a high school senior, said her son — attracted to Cornell’s prestige — was planning on applying regular decision to the university.

— Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of senior

Browse Nearby Words

deal (with)

dean

deans

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“Dean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dean. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dean

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