1
as in senior
a person of advanced years
in that Asian society elders are accorded great respect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
1
as in adults
a person of advanced years
in that Asian society elders are accorded great respect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ancestors
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 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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of elder
Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Curator James Charles Morris asked artists to create pieces that give praise and honor to elders.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 24 Feb. 2026
Kangidluasuk serves as a base for Parks Canada researchers and Inuit elders who pass on their historic and cultural knowledge to the youths.
—Robert Annis, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elder
Noun
Born in India, Khot came to the United States 30 years ago with his parents, who emphasized education and respect for elders.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Curator James Charles Morris asked artists to create pieces that give praise and honor to elders.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
Long story short, a teenaged Bolles was on a grueling mountain hike with his troop, and his elders challenged him to finish the darn thing.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 24 Feb. 2026
Kangidluasuk serves as a base for Parks Canada researchers and Inuit elders who pass on their historic and cultural knowledge to the youths.
—Robert Annis, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elder
Cite this Entry
“Elder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elder. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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