1
as in adults
a person of advanced years
in that Asian society elders are accorded great respect
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in superiors
one who is above another in rank, station, or office
as your elder in the company, he is within his rights to tell you what to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ancestors
one who is older than another
it wouldn't hurt to show a little more respect for your elders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in deans
the senior member of a group
as the elder of the contingent of living former presidents, he was accorded a place of highest honor at the ceremonies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of elders
Callam studied organizational psychology at United States International University, advocates for LGBTQ+ elders and lives in Poway.
—
Ted G Callam, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
There is also the filial aspect of caring for your elders in my tradition.
—Sahaj Kaur Kohli, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2026
Tribal youths worked with elders to harvest tule — a stalky plant native to California’s wetlands — and use it to build traditional boats.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Morris resigned from his role with the church days later, and the subsequent public comments issued by Morris, the church and its elders led to a flurry of civil litigation.
—Michelle Casady, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
In recent years, the game has seen another uptick in popularity—especially with younger players who in prior generations might have been the ones rolling their eyes at their elders’ gossipy game nights—and an increase in controversies.
—Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 10 Mar. 2026
Lilian suspected that the Hazels of the world would often be reminded by their elders to be grateful and happy, as though gratitude would guarantee happiness, or else a happy façade would take the sting off that onerous task of feeling grateful.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Born in India, Khot came to the United States 30 years ago with his parents, who emphasized education and respect for elders.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
The exhibition aims to highlight the wisdom and experience that elders contribute to families and communities.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Ted G Callam, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
There is also the filial aspect of caring for your elders in my tradition.
—Sahaj Kaur Kohli, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2026
Tribal youths worked with elders to harvest tule — a stalky plant native to California’s wetlands — and use it to build traditional boats.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Morris resigned from his role with the church days later, and the subsequent public comments issued by Morris, the church and its elders led to a flurry of civil litigation.
—Michelle Casady, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
In recent years, the game has seen another uptick in popularity—especially with younger players who in prior generations might have been the ones rolling their eyes at their elders’ gossipy game nights—and an increase in controversies.
—Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 10 Mar. 2026
Lilian suspected that the Hazels of the world would often be reminded by their elders to be grateful and happy, as though gratitude would guarantee happiness, or else a happy façade would take the sting off that onerous task of feeling grateful.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Born in India, Khot came to the United States 30 years ago with his parents, who emphasized education and respect for elders.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
The exhibition aims to highlight the wisdom and experience that elders contribute to families and communities.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elders
Noun
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For many adults, the beauty book triggered memories of a pre-social-media childhood spent cutting pictures out of magazines and pasting them into notebooks.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
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Or the move could have been to help the calf stay afloat—unlike adults, young sperm whales tend to sink and need to swim harder to reach the surface to breathe.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The younger Altman was ousted in February 1998 for failing to tell his superiors about the existence of a controversial videotape that showed firefighters drinking beer and using racial slurs at a firehouse retirement party, the Tribune previously reported.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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All three had been asked by their superiors to replace the plates on their cars but refused, McNicholas said.—
Fedor Zarkhin,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Claire meets Frank’s ancestors.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
-
People whose ancestors ate a lot of endosperm have extra copies of the genes that make starch‑digesting enzymes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Also, there are academic department consolidations under discussion with deans and faculty, the provost wrote.—
Helen I. Bennett,
Hartford Courant,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Foran forwarded the email to deans in the art college.—
Uwa Ede-Osifo,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Crypto newcomers and veterans have paid to attend workshops centered on investing.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
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After years of disappointment in March, coach Tommy Lloyd has gotten Arizona (36-2) back to being a championship contender thanks to a talented freshman class led by Peat to go along with veterans like Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Most oldsters like myself still will probably find revisiting the piece enjoyable.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
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But Italian brainrot’s invisible massiveness, totally foreign to oldsters but beloved by children across continents and languages, is a compelling and chilling showcase of our frazzled internet culture landscape.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Yet only 17% of seniors reported graduating with student loan debt.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
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The scholarship program helps graduating high school seniors and college students in the Naperville area.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Specialists in geriatrics know that most falls have multiple causes – and that practical steps like reviewing medications or improving home safety can prevent the next one.—
Jerry Gurwitz,
The Conversation,
27 Feb. 2026
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Single Leg Stand Standing on one leg may sound simple, but the exercise can help build strength and improve balance, according to Robyn Culbertson, PT, DPT, a physical therapist specializing in geriatrics and spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elders. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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