lieutenant

noun

lü-ˈte-nənt How to pronounce lieutenant (audio)
Definition of lieutenantnext
as in assistant
a person who helps a more skilled person the drug lord has a pair of brutal lieutenants who do most of his dirty work for him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 lieutenant Pysher says a lieutenant from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office came to his home a short time later and told him and his wife, Erin, that their son had been shot by a police officer. — Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 Last month, Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton and lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Gloria Romero issued a similar letter urging the UC Board of Regents to reinstate the SAT as part of UC admissions criteria. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Joseph LaPointe, the former New York City Fire Department lieutenant in charge of ceremonies, said his group of New York first responders was welcomed with reverence by the Cincinnati Fire Department. — Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Aug. 2026 Throw in the departure of Jason Tindall, Howe’s lieutenant and s***-house-in-chief, and things are going to look and feel very different. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lieutenant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lieutenant
  1. assistant
  2. adjutant
  3. aide
  4. deputy
  5. apprentice
  6. aid
Noun
  • Nana Menya Ayensu is an energy strategy and infrastructure technology investment executive and a former White House special assistant to the President on Climate Policy, Finance, and Innovation.
    — Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Idzik was in his first year as a low-level offensive assistant with the Seattle Seahawks, whose staff was selected to coach the NFC team after an early exit from the 2019 playoffs.
    — Joseph Person, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of assistant
Noun
  • But that hasn’t stopped out-of-state reenactors from worrying their muskets will be confiscated at the George Washington Bridge, says Justin Costantino, adjutant of the Long Island Companies of the 3rd New York Regiment.
    — Allen G. Breed, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
  • In the months since fellow senior Legion executives suspended Abrahamson without pay from his statewide adjutant job in April, a number of the roughly 8,000 members in Idaho have called for a change in leadership.
    — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 13 July 2024
Definition of adjutant
Noun
  • When Schaesta Ama outs him and kicks him out of their home, Payam comes to Mansur’s aide (albeit temporarily) but does not invite him up into his caste for more than an afternoon.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Any school district employee — including bus drivers, custodians, front-office staff, aides and administrators — can get a small (16-ounce) hot or cold drink of their choice.
    — Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of aide
Noun
  • The startled deputy lets out a scream and races back toward his patrol vehicle.
    — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
  • This week, multiple deputies in the Hall County Sheriff's Office resigned amid ongoing Flock misuse investigations.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of deputy
Noun
  • Approaching retirement, Patrick searches with exacting standards for someone to fill his shoes, investing time in mentoring young apprentice Matteo.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
  • CEOs would be wise to reinvest some of the profit AI creates into apprentice-style roles that grow entry-level people fast.
    — Michael Chavira, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of apprentice
Noun
  • Growing up in Jericho, New York, Glenn would make first-aid kits to take to neighborhood football games, ready in case someone got hurt.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
  • AfD opposes aid to the country and advocates lifting sanctions against Russia.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of aid

Browse Nearby Words

lie up
lieutenant
lieutenants
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Cite this Entry

“Lieutenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lieutenant. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lieutenant

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