1
as in veteran
a person with long experience in a specified area
considered the doyen of American art critics
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dean
the senior member of a group
he's the doyen of American museum directors, and his opinion has considerable weight
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of doyen
Over the decades, this grand doyen of LGBTQ+ literature, a member of the famed Violet Quill gay men’s writing group, would be a source of advice and support.
—
Michael T. Luongo
july 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
Or so sportscar journalism doyen Gary Watkins says, anyway.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 20 June 2025
The newcomers to their abode are Jerry, a hunky Mormon flight attendant (Bomer), and Arthur, a haughty fashion doyen recently fired from Vogue (Graham).
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
The economist Robert Gordon, doyen of the skeptics, has noted that the average growth of U.S. output per worker was 2.3 percent a year between 1891 and 1972.
—Martin Wolf, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2015
See All Example Sentences for doyen
Michael T. Luongo
july 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
Or so sportscar journalism doyen Gary Watkins says, anyway.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 20 June 2025
The newcomers to their abode are Jerry, a hunky Mormon flight attendant (Bomer), and Arthur, a haughty fashion doyen recently fired from Vogue (Graham).
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
The economist Robert Gordon, doyen of the skeptics, has noted that the average growth of U.S. output per worker was 2.3 percent a year between 1891 and 1972.
—Martin Wolf, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2015
See All Example Sentences for doyen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doyen
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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Jahneel Small, chief of staff and special organizing projects for Educators for Excellence, worked as a teacher and dean of students for 17 years.—
Theo Peck-Suzuki,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
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Prior to becoming interim principal, Misicka was Larkin’s assistant principal of culture and climate for six years and freshman dean of students for two years.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Few and far between were the Black elders who would greet you and expect a greeting in return, replaced by young white professionals and families who offered awkward smiles and occasional small talk when forced into proximity.—
Naomi Jackson,
Curbed,
11 Feb. 2026
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Don’t wait to talk to your elders and don’t worry about writing it all down.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Doyen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doyen. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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