elder 1 of 2

noun (1)

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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elders

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural of elder
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

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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
Noun
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
Noun
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 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
  • 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 superior
Noun
  • My three sons are 13th generation Americans whose ancestors fought as Patriots during the Revolutionary War.
    — David Neil, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Visitors strolled through the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens Saturday morning to kick off Obon Weekend, a traditional Japanese festival honoring the spirits of ancestors.
    — Mike Stocker, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of ancestor
Noun
  • The key to keeping your car in good shape and comfortable, according to Eligio Marquez, an associate dean of trade and industry at Palm Beach State College, is to stay on top of potential problems.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The meetings were first convened in November 2023 by LucasFilm pioneer Kathleen Kennedy and American Film Institute dean Susan Ruskin.
    — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of dean
Noun
  • The hospital complex in San Francisco was ranked top nationally in several specialties as well, including geriatrics, pulmonology — the treatment of respiratory conditions — and lung surgery.
    — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The report rated hospital performance in 14 specialties or specialty areas, ranging from cancer to geriatrics to urology.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of geriatric
Noun
  • Under Ellison and new big screen bosses in the form of Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, everyone expected changes to be made at the studios of the new Paramount Skydance.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026
  • His confidence was bust last season Hi James, from what the boss said in the press conference, Jones wanted out.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of boss
Noun
  • The 30-year veteran firefighter was battling pancreatic cancer.
    — Ginger Allen, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • As for music, expect a broad menu of noisemakers with national, regional and local buzz, programmed by co-organizer and veteran music promoter Steev Rullman of PureHoney Magazine and Bumblefest fame.
    — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 18 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 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on elder

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elder

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