elder

noun

Definition of eldernext
1
as in senior
a person of advanced years in that Asian society elders are accorded great respect

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in superior
one who is above another in rank, station, or office as your elder in the company, he is within his rights to tell you what to do

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ancestor
one who is older than another it wouldn't hurt to show a little more respect for your elders

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 elder Its inhabitants remain largely indifferent to the independence movement; village elders reason that freedom will benefit the educated while cultivators will merely exchange one set of masters for another. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026 Young orcas then gobbled up fish fragments that drifted through the water as their elders tore into what was left of the sunfish’s corpse. — Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 23 July 2026 The Garden have certainly earned respect from their peers, elders and juniors since forming in 2011. — Josh Chesler, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 Many of those elders wanted to express their personal connection to the film’s story, something Riedel regards as a part of his reconnection to his community. — Jennie Punter, Variety, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for elder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elder
  1. oldster
  2. superior
  3. ancestor
  4. dean
  5. geriatric
  6. boss
  7. veteran
  8. ancient
Noun
  • Enough with the oldsters, what about those kids?
    — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 4 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of oldster
Noun
  • Others objected to a military officer’s setting criteria for civilian superiors.
    — KORI SCHAKE, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026
  • High achievers seek out new opportunities, consistently deliver strong results and earn the trust of their superiors.
    — Kim Meninger, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of superior
Noun
  • Those with the funds to file a court case, essentially suing the Italian state for sexism against their female ancestors, are likely to win, but legal action is lengthy and costly.
    — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Therefore, this benefit must reach everyone, not only those whose ancestors match the reference sets from past decades.
    — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of ancestor
Noun
  • In 1986, she was appointed as the associate dean of arts and letters at the Kendall campus and 10 years later, Holloway was appointed academic dean at the Wolfson campus under then-president Eduardo Padron.
    — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
  • Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of UC Berkeley Law (ACLU Presidential Prize); and Elizabeth Foster, a South Carolina advocate for the freedom to read (the also-new ACLU Next Generation Leader in Civil Rights and Civil Liberties award).
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 25 July 2026
Definition of dean
Noun
  • Now, thanks entirely to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the scales are tipping back towards the geriatrics.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of geriatric
Noun
  • The former Bournemouth boss has been hired to untangle Liverpool’s squad.
    — Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2026
  • According to the lawsuits, Hart disclosed his conviction and a pornography addiction to his new bosses at Crossline.
    — Sean Emery, Oc Register, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of boss
Noun
  • Army veteran Bert Mizusawa will win the Republican primary for Senate in Virginia, ABC News projects.
    — ABC NEWS, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Like a certain hero of Greek myth and big-screen blockbuster, the Etna of Yoon's title is the veteran of a catastrophic war, scarred in body and mind, dogged in pursuit of an improbable homecoming.
    — Colin Dwyer, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of veteran
Noun
  • The exhibit features several dozen dinosaur animatronics that fully loom and roar, and a virtual aquarium stocked with swimming ancients.
    — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 21 May 2026
  • Sitting alone among these ancients can be a profound experience.
    — Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
Definition of ancient

Phrases Containing elder

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el cheapo
elder
elderliness
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Cite this Entry

“Elder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elder. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on elder

Nglish: Translation of elder for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elder

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