1
as in senior
a person of advanced years
in that Asian society elders are accorded great respect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in ancestor
one who is older than another
it wouldn't hurt to show a little more respect for your elders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dean
the senior member of a group
as the elder of the contingent of living former presidents, he was accorded a place of highest honor at the ceremonies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of elder
That progress could eventually help with useful jobs, including warehouse work, elder care support or disaster response.
—
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
Where children could bond with their elders and fall in love with the sounds and smells and scenery of sports.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 13 June 2026
In the aftermath of the Pulse tragedy, a united response made this loss universal, bringing people, community leaders, elders, and our institutions together in a front of love and care.
—Rev. José Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026
Hold grace for others, for yourselves, lean on your elders, ask questions, understand their struggles, because that helps to inform and motivate.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for elder
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
Where children could bond with their elders and fall in love with the sounds and smells and scenery of sports.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 13 June 2026
In the aftermath of the Pulse tragedy, a united response made this loss universal, bringing people, community leaders, elders, and our institutions together in a front of love and care.
—Rev. José Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026
Hold grace for others, for yourselves, lean on your elders, ask questions, understand their struggles, because that helps to inform and motivate.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for elder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elder
Noun
-
Enough with the oldsters, what about those kids?—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
4 June 2026
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With each passing day, its oldster cast — including Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, and Geena Davis — is closer to the grave.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
31 May 2026
Noun
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The president watched Israel assassinate his colleagues and superiors, faced accusations by ultra-conservative hardline politicians of compliance with Iran’s archenemy, the United States, and even oversaw a massive crackdown on protests.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
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Gradually, Nawal skirts the limits of her job and begins her own investigation, entering spaces and conversations her male superiors either can’t, or might not think to.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
8 June 2026
Noun
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For our hunter-gatherer ancestors, getting enough of these critical nutrients was a daily life-and-death struggle.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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The acreage had been owned by Ruth Moore’s ancestors, the Toof family, who named it Graceland.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
16 June 2026
Noun
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While some community colleges, including the College of DuPage, hold homecomings, the committee didn’t look to them for ideas, said Amybeth Maurer, assistant dean of the student experience and engagement.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
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Before serving as president of the University of Alabama, Bell served as provost and professor of engineering at Louisiana State University and as dean of the School of Engineering and professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Kansas.—
Ana Goñi-Lessan,
Sun Sentinel,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Raya Elfadel Kheirbek is a professor of medicine and chief of the division of palliative medicine and geriatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.—
Raya Elfadel Kheirbek,
Washington Post,
17 May 2026
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What was shocking was that searches for novels about geriatrics period almost exclusively turned up women not very much older.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
Noun
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The day shift also starts making factory-work jokes, with Rekha playing a perky do-bee who just wants to make the boss happy, and Lily adopting an agitator role, demanding workman’s comp and trying to spark revolt.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
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In 2018, Rita Ferro succeeded the retiring Erhardt as the ESPN sales boss under a new title (president, Disney ad sales).—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Phillies legend Jimmy Rollins will manage the National League team and former MLB veteran Rickie Weeks will lead the American League team.—
Frederick Sutton Sinclair,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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Brian Gutiérrez, the Mexican American who played a key role in the opener as South Africa was hit a with a red card while trying to stop him, and veteran Roberto Alvarado, who recorded an assist against South Africa, joined Rangel as Chivas starters in the opener.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Noun
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The exhibit features several dozen dinosaur animatronics that fully loom and roar, and a virtual aquarium stocked with swimming ancients.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
20 May 2026
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Sitting alone among these ancients can be a profound experience.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elder. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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