1
as in adult
a person of advanced years
in that Asian society elders are accorded great respect
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
In a world where plenty of rap elders are content to roll out unchallenging albums to steadfast fanbases, still knows how to hold your head underwater.
—
Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
Joe Klaas, 46, is one of a fourth generation of descendants of the Baller family elders who founded the place.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
The Jewish elders in the ghetto offered Gens the position of the Jewish chief of police in 1941.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
What Mager is showing here is the difference between kids and adults, the openness and willingness to be bold and confront things head on with matter-of-fact honesty in a world that is being screwed up by their elders and those in charge.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elder
Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
Joe Klaas, 46, is one of a fourth generation of descendants of the Baller family elders who founded the place.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
The Jewish elders in the ghetto offered Gens the position of the Jewish chief of police in 1941.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
What Mager is showing here is the difference between kids and adults, the openness and willingness to be bold and confront things head on with matter-of-fact honesty in a world that is being screwed up by their elders and those in charge.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elder
Noun
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When adults normalize reflective conversation alongside predictable routines, boys build internal structure more readily, and with far less conflict.—
Dr. Liz Doe Stone,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The books may contain adult themes.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Around this time, a young Israeli national-security official reached the same conclusion and began urging his superiors to organize an internal coup against Assad.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
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But when Commissioner Marty Makary presented that list for sign-off to the Health and Human Services Department, which oversees the FDA, and to the White House in October, his superiors shot it down, the people said.—
Elaine Chen,
STAT,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Some of those ancestors left Africa to explore Europe.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
4 Feb. 2026
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Gibson is passionate about introducing fans to underrepresented voices and tipping her cap to the mothers, grandmothers, and other ancestors who inspired us all along the way.—
Karla Walsh,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The plan would cap A grades at 20% of undergraduates, with some flexibility, across courses and departments if it’s approved by faculty ahead of the 2026-2027 school year, Amanda Claybaugh, dean of undergraduate education, said in an email on Friday that included a 19-page outline of the plan.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
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With the support of her adviser, department chair and dean, Gnacinski decided to apply for the position.—
Kate Kealey,
Des Moines Register,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Those devoted to the Charli cause will no doubt get more out of the film than an out-of-touch oldster like myself ever could.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
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But Italian brainrot’s invisible massiveness, totally foreign to oldsters but beloved by children across continents and languages, is a compelling and chilling showcase of our frazzled internet culture landscape.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Pursued by both the FBI and a ruthless crime boss (Bening), Lucky must fight for her life — and a way out.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
3 Feb. 2026
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When expectations are unclear, like those communicated by busy bosses, teachers or healthcare providers, people become hypervigilant.—
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Feb. 2026
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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In 2021, only 10% of medical schools required geriatrics courses, down from 23% in 2005, and only about 38 percent included the training as part of, say, their internal medicine programs.—
Howard Gleckman,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Janice Grandi is a primary care physician working in geriatrics.—
Janice Grandi,
Mercury News,
24 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elder. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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