elder

Definition of eldernext
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 On this day families gather for festive meals, and the young seek blessings from their elders. Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026 The author, known for sinister tales like The Whistler and Sisters of the Lost Nation, has built a reputation for reinventing classic horror tropes by weaving in Native American folklore and stories passed down from his grandmother, an elder of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026 But Gen Z is now the most active cinemagoing demographic, attending more films per year than their elders, according to a new Fandango study. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026 Filial piety, the act of honoring and caring for one’s elders, is a virtue deeply rooted in my culture. Venus Wong, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elder
Noun
  • In Colorado, more than 3,000 seniors filed complaints, with losses of nearly $75 million.
    Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Kaneland doesn’t have designated team captains, but as one of only four seniors, Woods takes her leadership role seriously.
    Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Though young missing-persons detective Dalia (May Calamawy) is earnest in her attempts to help, her superiors cast suspicion on Katie’s parents; eight years later, the girl is still missing, while the family has relocated to New Mexico.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Based on their own investigation, Brown’s team submitted an affidavit to their superiors at DOJ that did not make a strong enough case to move forward with what Olsen wanted.
    Doug Bock Clark, ProPublica, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Four Freedoms awards are presented in the New Church in Middelburg, in the province of Zeeland, where Roosevelt's ancestors hail from.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Researchers studying a 250-million-year-old fossil have found the first ever proof that mammal ancestors laid eggs, with the discovery also shedding light on a remarkable survival story.
    Jack Guy, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Christina Economos, dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts, said diet is a primary driver of preventable disease.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Dave Chappelle Has Long-Standing Ties to Yellow Springs Chappelle was raised in Maryland but spent summers in the village, where his father served as dean of students at Antioch College.
    Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Most oldsters like myself still will probably find revisiting the piece enjoyable.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
  • 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
Noun
  • Take the quiz here … DUGOUT DANGER — Grand slam redemption follows terrifying moment when batter nails his own boss.
    , FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
  • The Kroenkes last June hired Jon Wallace to be Denver’s new executive vice president of player personnel, snapping him up from … Minnesota, where Wallace worked in the Twin Cities under Connelly, his old Nuggets boss, for three seasons.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Cheadle clearly figured out that his main job here is to cue her up and get out of her way; that is greatly to this veteran actor’s credit.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Retired salesman and Air Force veteran Bud Levell, 72, has spent most of his life repairing old radios, machines and anything with wires.
    Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In Episode 12, Robby suggested Mohan's skill set and work rate were both better suited for geriatrics.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
  • At another table, a young Black guy with facial tattoos was playing $100 hands and had developed a rollicking alliance with the white-haired geriatric at the other end of the table.
    McKay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Elder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elder. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.

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