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 Nolan began his career as a Munster High social studies teacher in 2007, then became dean of students in 2012. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 Cultural exchanges like these counter distorted media narratives, says Mimi Sheller, dean of the Global School at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, who studies the movement of people around the world. — Medara Udoekong, Christian Science Monitor, 26 June 2026 As Verity Shaye, assistant dean for education at NYU, explained to me, medical educators have long struggled to assess communication and reasoning skills directly. — Spencer Dorn, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 Pageants, deans' lists, graduations or military enlistments are not accepted. — Arkansas Online, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dean

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dean

Noun

While choosing the layout, the tribe hosted listening sessions with community members and elders.

— Sarah Liese, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
More important for the purposes of the Social Media Minimum Age’s failure is that Aussie youth undeniably know technology better than do their elders in Parliament.

— John Tamny, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of elder

Noun

Last month, veteran Hollywood producer Roy Lee got three calls in a single day from executives at three different studios.

— Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
In addition, veteran forward Andrew Wiggins’ two-year extension worth $34 million with the Heat also became official on Monday.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 7 July 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

How would one of hip-hop’s elder statesmen reflect on his career and his many successes?

— Jabari M. Evans, The Conversation, 24 June 2026
Crucially, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has attracted a lot of criticism as the side’s 41-year-old elder statesman, responded to the doubters with two goals — and could have had more.

— The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Definition of elder statesman

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deal (with)

dean

deans

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“Dean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dean. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of dean

noun

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