junior 1 of 2

adjective

ˈjün-yər How to pronounce junior (audio)
Definition of juniornext
as in smaller
having not so great importance or rank as another junior advisers to the governor

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

junior

2 of 2

noun

as in subordinate
one who is of lower rank and typically under the authority of another she's his junior in the company

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 junior
Adjective
Just ask Miami Dolphins Coach Jeff Hafley, who went 0-9 during his junior year at Pascack Hills High School to 7-2 as a senior. — Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026 The junior defensive back had appeared in all seven of Alabama's games this season, recording five tackles. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Noun
Oaks Christian returns its leading scorer, junior Brady Sullivan. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026 Duke junior forward Patrick Ngongba (28 points, 10 rebounds) and senior guard John Blackwell (23 points) starred for the visitors, while freshman Tyran Stokes dazzled for KU with 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 37 minutes. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for junior
Recent Examples of Synonyms for junior
  1. less
  2. subordinate
  3. lesser
  4. minion
  5. lower
  6. assistant
  7. small
Adjective
  • That protects state budgets but leaves businesses within their borders with less money to invest.
    — Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The initiative reframed support less as simply offering filmmakers a platform to tell stories about displacement than giving them the professional connections needed to continue working.
    — Essie Assibu, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of less
Noun
  • And, one of Thompson’s subordinates knew that Rusinowski may have been stealing meds a month before Thompson found out and didn’t say anything, the attorneys stated.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Trump’s subordinates have been hinting for months that ICE agents or other federal officers may turn up at polling places on Election Day.
    — Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of subordinate
Adjective
  • Even lesser-scale incidents like the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal and the Volkswagen emissions scandal erode trust in the institutions that help make our society possible and push it forward.
    — Lindsey Witmer Collins, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Toronto’s Fred VanVleet appears to be the top target, but Miami’s Kyle Lowry, Utah’s Mike Conley and, perhaps to a lesser extent, Charlotte’s Terry Rozier have been linked to the team at various points.
    — Staff Writer Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2023
Definition of lesser
Noun
  • Gavin Newsom’s legislative minions just got a lesson in constitutional supremacy.
    — , FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • There are references to demons, being burned alive, and the duende king explicitly commands his minions to kill Jo and Raissa.
    — Parents, Parents, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of minion
Adjective
  • Despite those lower court rulings, the practice has continued nationally, said Gregory Chen, the senior director of government relations for the Immigration Lawyers Association.
    — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 3 Sep. 2025
  • And ultimately, the Supreme Court overruled those lower court rulings and did declare the embryos as children qualifying under the wrongful death statute.
    — Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024
Definition of lower
Noun
  • Scott Cheney, a Utah assistant attorney general who serves as her principal legal adviser on elections, was out of the country.
    — Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Montford, a Travis County assistant district attorney at the time, promised to stay with them.
    — Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of assistant
Adjective
  • Manfred says small-market success is rare, while the union argues the Rays-Brewers World Series matchup shows baseball can work without a cap.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Massachusetts ranks third for the annual cost of raising a small child but 18th over 18 years.
    — Martie Bowser, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of small

Browse Nearby Words

jungles
junior
junior high school
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Cite this Entry

“Junior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/junior. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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