EXECUTIVE Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

executive 1 of 2

adjective

ig-ˈze-k(y)ə-tiv

Definition of executive

as in administrative

suited for or relating to the directing of things the executive skills needed to manage a large business office

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

executive

2 of 2

noun

as in manager

a person who manages or directs something a program that teaches company executives how to better manage their staffs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 executive

Adjective

Ministers hold little direct influence over administrative agencies, allowing the agencies to operate independently of executive authority. — Daniel Waldenstrom, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2026 The lawsuit names Addenbrooke, Principal John Byrne and former executive director Ric Netzer as defendants. — Katie Langford, Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2026

Noun

The Chinese government reportedly recruited a female executive, Alice Huang, to spy on Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and gather intelligence on the company’s most advanced chips, which are currently banned from sale in China. — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 7 Nov. 2026 This included sending Taylor to the same schools as the children of movie studio executives. — Estrella Albendea Ruiz, Vanity Fair, 7 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for executive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for executive

Adjective

Enforcement should address speech codes, discriminatory security fees, selective recognition of student groups, and administrative acquiescence in the heckler’s veto.

— Ilya Shapiro, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
News reports state Walter was placed on administrative leave and released on bond, which totaled $10,000 bond for evading, $1,500 for DWI and $1,000 for resisting.

— Jarrod Wardwell, Houston Chronicle, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of administrative

Noun

Before or after your meal, check out the Renaissance Bar to witness bar manager Matteo Oddo make his sensational martinis.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
Lynch, the team's president of football operations and general manager, addressed the brawls that took place in the parking lot and inside Levi's Stadium during the 49ers' 38-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

— Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of manager

Adjective

Meanwhile, Brad Ausmus, the Yankees’ bench coach the last few years, is a candidate for the Astros’ managerial vacancy.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2026
Professional and business services — a broad category of administrative and managerial workers — added 70,000 jobs.

— Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of managerial

Noun

Ballard was Newsom’s communications director from 2007 to 2010, when the outgoing governor was mayor of San Francisco.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
Anna Saavedra serves as the director of the Center for Civic Society within the University of Southern California Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy and Government Service.

— Ismar Volić, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of director

Noun

Questions also remain about the district’s disciplinary investigation, Young’s employment status and what changes, if any, administrators will make to the football program before next season.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Public school district administrators across the county pushed to get the proposition on the ballot, which, if adopted, will add more to county homeowners’ tax burden.

— Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of administrator

Noun

Kayatta said the board would hold another special meeting before that deadline to select committee members if the state superintendent sends more candidates before Monday.

— Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 13 Nov. 2026
Several more urged the department’s next leader to be a local — as Snelling was — but unlike in the 2023 superintendent search, so far there has been no campaigning on behalf of any prospective candidate.

— Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of superintendent

Noun

That changed in 2024 when a state constitutional amendment required Miami-Dade voters to choose an elections supervisor to run the newly independent office.

— Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026
Becerra’s appointee would hold office until a successor is selected through a special election or the next supervisor race set for March 2028, roughly 16 months after the midterm elections.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of supervisor

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Style

“Executive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/executive. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of executive

adjective

noun

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