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

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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

Garry Nolan is professor in the Department of Pathology at Stanford University School of Medicine and is executive director of the board of the Sol Foundation. — Leonard David, Space.com, 11 July 2026 Wembanyama's contract caught the attention of NBPA executive director David Kelly, who spoke with reporters in Las Vegas at summer league. — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Noun

Some team executives and agents have considered the second apron, set at just under $222 million this coming season, as a de facto hard cap since its inception. — Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 4 July 2026 Most of us, for instance, are not the oil company executives who were told about the effects of CO2 emissions back in the 1970s and decided that the threat to their business outweighed the threat to the planet. — Gabriel Winslow-Yost, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for executive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for executive

Adjective

The measure says revenues cannot be spent on state bureaucracy or administrative costs.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Recently, the Illinois Register proposed amending the administrative code to update the definitions of the various alcohol categories solely by their production process — not their alcohol content.

— Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Definition of administrative

Noun

Kenneth Malin, the West Cedar Creek MUD’s general manager, did not respond to a message requesting comment on the district’s discussions with Diode.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026
England manager Graham Taylor’s standing with the English media and public never recovered.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of manager

Adjective

And his questions were raised as Mattingly's influence has become increasingly visible in Philadelphia following the club's managerial change.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
That set up some managerial chess, with Baltimore sending lefty-swinging Dylan Beavers up to pinch-hit, only for Chicago to replace Ferguson with left-hander Ryan Rolison.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026

Definition of managerial

Noun

Washington remembers meeting with Current executive director of community relations DePrice Taylor when she was first hired in 2022 about how Kansas City’s Eastside could get free soccer opportunities.

— PJ Green July 11, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
At Karlovy Vary Film Festival this week, the 10 participants of Future Frames – the program for young European directors – were joined by Greek director Christos Nikou as their mentor.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 11 July 2026

Definition of director

Noun

San Juan High School administrators could not be reached for comment Monday.

— Reeti Malhotra July 6, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
The ‘College-Enrollment Death Spiral’ and College Athletics The merger of Ursuline and Gannon stems in part from the enrollment challenges that have become a focal point of higher ed administrators across the country.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of administrator

Noun

Shaw, a conservative activist who is president of the Chino Valley Unified School District board, pointed out in an X post that voters had previously rejected four attempts to reshape the superintendent’s office.

— Lia Russell July 10, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
Carpenter was previously superintendent of the Hickman Mills School District from 2013-2017, then led the Lee’s Summit School District from 2017-2019 and briefly lived in Georgia before returning to the South Kansas City district.

— Ilana Arougheti July 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

Definition of superintendent

Noun

Her Bojangles supervisor then removed her from the schedule and locked her out of the company system.

— Julia Coin July 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026
Local 42, which represents most fire department employees, argued the jobs were not supervisory positions and therefore belonged in its bargaining unit rather than the supervisors’ union.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

Definition of supervisor

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Style

“Executive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/executive. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of executive

adjective

noun

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