1
as in veterans
a person with long experience in a specified area
considered the doyen of American art critics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deans
the senior member of a group
he's the doyen of American museum directors, and his opinion has considerable weight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of doyens
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
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doyens
Noun
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Verbeek and coach Joel Quenneville’s defense corps now features three veterans on the right side and a younger mix, with LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger, on the left.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
7 Mar. 2026
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Some senior veterans on Long Island are travelling the world again without leaving their nursing home.—
Carolyn Gusoff,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Pageants, deans' lists, graduations or military enlistments are not accepted.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
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In conducting the self-review, however, Khator and some of her academic deans sent communications to faculty that referenced the new state law, which doesn’t contain any reference to indoctrination.—
Samantha Ketterer,
Houston Chronicle,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Lilian suspected that the Hazels of the world would often be reminded by their elders to be grateful and happy, as though gratitude would guarantee happiness, or else a happy façade would take the sting off that onerous task of feeling grateful.—
Yiyun Li,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
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Born in India, Khot came to the United States 30 years ago with his parents, who emphasized education and respect for elders.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Doyens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doyens. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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