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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
The run game is led by junior Fluff Bothwell, a South Alabama transfer who rushed for 677 yards and six TDs for Mississippi State last season. — Pj Green september 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026 And while Miami lost Brown, who was their main between-the-tackles runner besides Fletcher, the group is gaining an experienced runner in junior Jordan Lyle, who was suspended the first three games following an August arrest. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
Noun
Gateway junior Nydrell Thigpen has carried the ball 71 times for 557 yards and 6 TDs. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026 The 5-foot-9, 220 pound Stevens is listed as a junior running back/linebacker on the team. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Sep. 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
  • Human fabulists aren’t the only ones who sometimes lure tourists to less-than-authentic sites.
    — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, Covert argued the legislation was likely to spur more businesses to choose Texas or other states, spurring building in places with less climate and environmental protections.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of less
Noun
  • Investigators have accused one of his subordinates of running a fraud scheme, though Kravchenko himself has not been charged or named a suspect.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Additionally, while there are government rules against federal employees accepting gifts from subordinates or officials who make less than themselves, subordinates are not barred from receiving gifts from superiors.
    — Kristin Brown, CBS News, 9 Sep. 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
  • Musashi becomes part of a crew that fights the Genma and Yoshitsune’s minions.
    — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Just as Wolverine is surrounded, he’s saved by Mystique, who’s shape-shifted herself into one of Trask’s minions.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Aug. 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
  • After a disastrous 3-14 season in 2025, Glenn fired half his coaching staff and brought in experienced assistants, including offensive coordinator Frank Reich.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026
  • One of his assistants tried desperately to keep Schiano off the field as he got animated.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of assistant
Adjective
  • Rooms This is a big hotel, with 177 rooms and suites that range in size and shape from the smallest superior rooms to the impressive top-floor penthouse.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Newsom, in his veto message at the time, cited concerns about stifling innovation and said smaller AI models, which would have been exempt from the law, could also be dangerous.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of small

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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 24 Sep. 2026.

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