elder

1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

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 Sam Vanderwall, one of six elders of the church, told the Idaho Statesman that Masiewicz handled the regular Sunday sermons. Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2025 Caring for both children and elders over the years, Ross saw firsthand how common loneliness can be. Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025 Learning from elders Drafted by the Utah Mammoth in 2021 when they were still known as the Arizona Coyotes, Thomas has attended NHL development camps in Phoenix and Salt Lake City. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025 Kōnane cackles with the frayed voice of a centuries-old elder. Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for elder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elder
Noun
  • The church later updated guidelines to instruct leaders never to disregard abuse reports and allowed minors to bring a parent or adult to private interviews with local bishops.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Dohn Community High School in Cincinnati offered a credit recovery program for adults and high school classes for students with behavioral issues.
    Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Her superiors saw her as a natural choice because of her constructive relationship with Bukele during her term as ambassador.
    T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
  • His Army superiors offered to reassign Shane or put him on reserve duty.
    John J. Lennon, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Demosponges are soft and squishy filter feeders and their ancestors likely shared similar characteristics.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Where Lil Boosie and Kevin Gates are hometown heroes, two artists who are direct ancestors for YoungBoy’s style, YoungBoy is more notorious, fodder for the gossip shows and the minor podcasts that infiltrate their way onto your timeline.
    Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The letter, sent to Hook by the university's dean of the College of Fine Arts, Bruce Kelley, said Hook violated policy.
    Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Students can enroll with a major of their choice and a Native American studies minor, said Anette Reed, Wileety Native American College’s dean.
    Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • Uncle Herschel, the seated oldster in Cracker Barrel’s iconic logo, is not only a character from corporate lore, the founder’s real-life uncle, but a representative, even an aspirational, figure for a certain kind of American.
    Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For some entrepreneurs, becoming their own boss was a no-brainer.
    Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Matthew Lillard wants to reunite with Scooby–Doo scribe and DC Studios boss James Gunn on a new project.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • During his postgame press conference, Dart thanked Wilson for the veteran mentorship leading up to his first career start.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Sanford was a veteran of the Iraq War, according to officials.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • What had long been the province of geriatrics quickly morphed into something performative and hyper-masculine, with podcasters hyping testosterone injections, influencers displaying stacks of supplements, and billionaires interested in blood plasma exchanges as a way to live longer.
    Anne Marie Chaker, Time, 20 Sep. 2025
  • With Spinal Tap, the joke never gets old, even if the hilarious-as-ever heavy metal trio is now bordering on geriatric.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Elder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elder. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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