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

However, organizations and school districts typically aren’t required to follow them, said Jeremy Holaday, Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) assistant executive director. — Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2026 Qualified candidates who check the boxes are easily landing pay packages exceeding seven figures, but recruiters have to move fast, said Michael Piacente, managing partner and cofounder of executive cybersecurity search firm Hitch Partners. — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026

Noun

Nancy Grace Roman was the first-ever chief astronomer at NASA and the agency's first female executive. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Newsom said in his statement Saturday that the bill would strengthen accountability for utilities that spark fires by stopping executives from receiving bonuses after a fire. — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for executive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for executive

Adjective

For all the headlines of the past month, not having general manager Mike Lombardi (who’s on administrative leave) around on a game day is probably a net positive for UNC football.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
The Oslo Accords, signed over thirty years ago, gave Palestinians at least administrative control of limited areas as a first step toward eventual control of the West Bank and Gaza—almost all of that twenty-two per cent of the land.

— David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of administrative

Noun

According to a probable cause affidavit, the former campaign manager gave local police a black nylon glove that Ross is alleged to have provided in June.

— Ava Kelley, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez, who represents a suburban area in western Miami-Dade, urged Levine Cava to find savings by reducing multiple layers of senior directors standing between the mayor and front-line managers and county workers.

— Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of manager

Adjective

There are very few tools that can accurately assess skills, but relying on managerial judgment alone is fraught with biases like the halo, horn and recency effects.

— Tonushree Mondal, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
To cap the most chaotic week of his managerial career, Joe Espada celebrated his 51st birthday on Sunday.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of managerial

Noun

This is an exciting step forward for Eisenberg the director, who had a breakthrough a couple of years ago with the lovely A Real Pain, which earned co-star Kieran Culkin an Academy Award.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
The school’s athletic director told Front Office Sports last month Tarleton has had conversations with multiple FBS leagues and wants to move up within the next five years.

— Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of director

Noun

Worse, the su binary—the code that provides the command-line interface allowing users with low-level system rights to temporarily gain administrator-level access—is set to grant root without any authentication.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
Three months ago, Jimmy Morales was one of the most powerful administrators in local government, serving as a top deputy to Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

— Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of administrator

Noun

Roy Ring, production superintendent for the 583rd Missile Maintenance Squadron, said crews have maintained these systems for decades.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
An earlier version of this story misspelled the name of the Lee’s Summit school district’s assistant superintendent of business services.

— Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of superintendent

Noun

The Nepal Electricity Authority named the two men who were rescued alive as 30-year-old Sanjay Sah, a mechanical foreman from Saptari district in eastern Nepal, and Kabir Maharjan, 45, a mechanical supervisor from Kathmandu.

— Bhadra Sharma, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Officials identified them as a mechanical foreman and a mechanical supervisor at the Trishuli 3A plant.

— James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of supervisor

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“Executive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/executive. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of executive

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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