1
as in adult
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
Natalie Proulx, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Douglas is beguiling enough with her humorous, spunky performance, and MacCormac capably keeps up with her; Will Sasso and Kevin Durand are welcome supporting players as a few of the oddly aggressive town elders.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 9 May 2025
Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
This case was fascinating because the clues to solving these mysterious deaths came from Navaho elders.
—Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elder
Noun
The teens’ videos, while at times factually questionable, highlight a desire among some to avoid the chronic illnesses and other conditions that have plagued their elders.
—Natalie Proulx, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Douglas is beguiling enough with her humorous, spunky performance, and MacCormac capably keeps up with her; Will Sasso and Kevin Durand are welcome supporting players as a few of the oddly aggressive town elders.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 9 May 2025
Noun
The Navaho elders were at the forefront of linking changes in climate to infections.
—Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
This case was fascinating because the clues to solving these mysterious deaths came from Navaho elders.
—Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elder
Cite this Entry
“Elder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elder. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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