ELDERS Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

elders

noun

plural of elder

as in adults

a person of advanced years in that Asian society elders are accorded great respect

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as in superiors

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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as in ancestors

one who is older than another it wouldn't hurt to show a little more respect for your elders

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as in deans

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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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 elders One bathroom had no toilet seat and there was no lighting in a stairwell used by elders unsure of their footing. — Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 Although congregations have elders, families are the main conduit for ritual and belief. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026 The cultural boundaries that bind many Black communities, such as the respect for elders and aunties alike, were honored and respected in informal communication – and sometimes in coverage. — Danielle K. Brown, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026 Grandparents transfer cultural values and practical wisdom to other family members, while younger family members are obliged to take care of their elders as time goes by. — Kaitlyn Gomez, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026 After four days, Ayesha says her family secured her release with the help of community elders, paying a ransom, and providing a formal guarantee of her future conduct. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2026 Over the course of the last three weeks, some of the biggest names in the business of reporting on (and pontificating about) sports media have transformed themselves into a scruffy simulacrum of the town elders from Footloose. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 Aug. 2026 This would be a step forward in supporting the people who, by some estimates, save the government more than a billion dollars each year by providing unpaid care for our vulnerable elders. — Medora Lee, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026 Our elders deserve to feel safe and the office's Elder Abuse Section is committed to holding those who harm them fully accountable. — Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elders

Noun

His case has remained pending while the other two adults charged with murder, Miller and Terry Young, ultimately pleaded guilty to lesser gun charges.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Much of the screen time communicating with other young people on the internet — some of the contacts are unknowingly mature adults — takes place late at night and into the wee morning hours.

— Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of adults

Noun

If both parties are PLA members, superiors must step in to mediate the relationship breakdown, and the couple can only get a civil divorce with the military’s approval, which can result in a longer process.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Leo claimed that he was not allowed to call his own witnesses as part of an investigation, which ITN insiders dispute, even though all those interviewed were his superiors.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of superiors

Noun

Essay Get the Lead Out Alex Manley Our ancestors were born to die by predators.

— Naomi Skwarna, hazlitt.net, 25 Aug. 2026
For the last decade, genealogical consultant Grant Din has helped Asian Americans find information about their ancestors, many of whom passed through San Francisco’s Angel Island Immigration Station in the 1900s.

— Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of ancestors

Noun

Each academic school hosts their own ceremony, with students attending various departments — plus deans and senior leadership — all clad in their cardinal and gold regalia, marching behind their banners across the campus.

— Staff report, Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Continue reading … 'THIS IS RIDICULOUS' — Med school deans come up empty in tense hearing when asked point blank if men can have babies.

— , FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of deans

Noun

Both civilians and veterans can assume a VA loan, but they must be approved by the lender.

— Sharon Wu, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Brokers are always recruiting new agents — not just seasoned veterans snatched from other firms in search of larger splits or better support, but also rookies lured in by the prospect of big paydays.

— Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of veterans

Noun

After receiving unsolicited donations due to his online fame, Ashton chose to redirect these funds to clean seniors' bins for free, reinvesting any surplus into his business and savings.

— Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
This year, more than 900 seniors walked across the stage at the celebratory Senior Signing Day.

— Bret Clement, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026