as in elder
the senior member of a group
the dean of the Aspen ski instructors oversaw the training of the rescue team
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dean
Phillip Lyons, dean of Sam Houston State University’s College of Criminal Justice, and Maria Haberfeld, a professor of police science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, both concurred after independently viewing Atkins’ bodycam footage.
—
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2026
Sullivan is professor of health economics and policy and former dean of pharmacy at the University of Washington.
—Ryan N. Hansen, STAT, 5 Feb. 2026
Right to worry Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of Berkeley Law, is sympathetic to Rosen, and for more than one reason.
—Max Taves, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
After his military career, Stavridis also served five years as dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Massachusetts.
—Chris Mueller, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dean
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2026
Sullivan is professor of health economics and policy and former dean of pharmacy at the University of Washington.
—Ryan N. Hansen, STAT, 5 Feb. 2026
Right to worry Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of Berkeley Law, is sympathetic to Rosen, and for more than one reason.
—Max Taves, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
After his military career, Stavridis also served five years as dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Massachusetts.
—Chris Mueller, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dean
Noun
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Few and far between were the Black elders who would greet you and expect a greeting in return, replaced by young white professionals and families who offered awkward smiles and occasional small talk when forced into proximity.—
Naomi Jackson,
Curbed,
11 Feb. 2026
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Don’t wait to talk to your elders and don’t worry about writing it all down.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Stafford, a 17-year veteran, won the award by finishing ahead of New England quarterback Drake Maye in balloting by a panel of 50 journalists who regularly cover the NFL.—
Gary Klein,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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The Seahawks ranked third in total pressures and seventh in sacks this season, thanks to a front seven that includes a rotating set of outside linebackers in veterans DeMarcus Lawrence and Uchenna Nwosu and younger pass rushers Derick Hall and Boye Mafe.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Murray’s focus on tax measures in his quote may dampen expectations that the Labour government is about to improve the high-end TV tax credit, which industry doyens have been calling for for some time now.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
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Senator Chuck Schumer, doyen of the party’s establishment wing and one of the country’s most-prominent Jewish politicians, never publicly backed Mamdani.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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And while Nixon did not want an official state funeral, he was honored as a beloved elder statesman, complete with a daylong period of national mourning.—
Jamelle Bouie,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Broncos elder statesman Garett Bolles had never made a Pro Bowl in his eight previous seasons in Denver, and so Natalie Bolles took matters into her own hands on Dec. 7, when her husband still hadn’t received his Pro Bowl graphic.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
23 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The fifth-year senior also blocked five shots and swiped four steals.—
Matt Byrne,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
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An Atlanta high school senior is turning personal health challenges into a mission to support other young girls.—
Jamal Goss,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dean. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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