1
as in dowager
a dignified usually elderly woman of some rank or authority
as the grand dames of local society, they determined which charities received support
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in lady
a woman of high birth or social position
the lords and dames of the shire eagerly awaited the royal visit
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 dame
What does a Devil Wears Prada sequel look like in the age of influencers, an era where a teenager with a TikTok account can wield more authority than a longtime fashion-magazine grand dame?
—
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 Apr. 2026
There are new guest judges at the ball every night, but the 80-year-old De Shields gets to be its grand dame no matter what, providing The Jellicle Ball with authority and history.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
Perhaps unknowingly, the star was partaking in a fashion tradition set by the dames of Cortina long ago.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Langley — who was made a dame by the late Queen Elizabeth in 2020 — also makes history with Fellowship.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dame
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 Apr. 2026
There are new guest judges at the ball every night, but the 80-year-old De Shields gets to be its grand dame no matter what, providing The Jellicle Ball with authority and history.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
Perhaps unknowingly, the star was partaking in a fashion tradition set by the dames of Cortina long ago.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Langley — who was made a dame by the late Queen Elizabeth in 2020 — also makes history with Fellowship.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dame
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dame
Noun
-
The show’s underpinned by the differences in character and country of Lady Cora and her formidable mother-in-law, the dowager Countess Violet Crawley, played by the equally formidable and much missed Dame Maggie Smith.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
22 July 2025
-
The empress dowager’s legacy Empress Dowager Ling was largely unsuccessful in her bid for power.—
Stephanie Balkwill,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This disdain for empathy often leads to the conclusion that women’s political participation is a problem, because the little ladies will insist on voting for the wrong candidates and policies.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
-
But my life, my love, and my lady is the sea—Looking Glass.—
Brian Braiker,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The matron on duty, Annie Leewright, booked the woman into jail.—
Kevin Foster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The couple will spend the remainder of the early morning hours in a threesome with an elderly society matron, sucking on her earlobes.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Pictured below moments after his red carpet appearance with Baptista, Cassel offers the gentlemanly arm to accompany the reigning queen of French cinema and his fellow cast member in Histoires Parallèles, Catherine Deneueve, to her seat.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
On display, there is a patchwork quilt the queen made out of her clothing to document her sentence.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
But the countess couldn’t stop wondering where Alberta’s dress could be.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Following her turn as a countess in last summer’s Shakespeare in the Park production of Twelfth Night, and as a duchess in the Metropolitan Opera’s La Fille du Régiment in October, the actress will play the title role in The Misanthrope from June through August.—
Lizzie Hyman,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dame. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
