as in dean
the senior member of a group
the elder statesman of the White House correspondents is finally retiring after nearly a half century of service
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Recent Examples of elder statesman
Compared with these selections, Ratcliffe looks like an elder statesman, and he has essentially been anointed: The Senate will almost certainly confirm him, which will make Ratcliffe the only person ever to have served as both the DNI and the director of the CIA.
—
Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025
But rather than discard the 39th president in damnatio memoriae, Carter's decades-long post-presidency proved fertile ground for his rehabilitation as an elder statesman.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
Coates was an elder statesman of sorts in the Oath Keepers, a 73-year-old Vietnam veteran with a Hulk Hogan mustache.
—Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 4 Jan. 2025
Carter’s image as a kindly elder statesman, friend to world Jewry and bulwark of Israel’s security took an immediate beating.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elder statesman
Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025
But rather than discard the 39th president in damnatio memoriae, Carter's decades-long post-presidency proved fertile ground for his rehabilitation as an elder statesman.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
Coates was an elder statesman of sorts in the Oath Keepers, a 73-year-old Vietnam veteran with a Hulk Hogan mustache.
—Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 4 Jan. 2025
Carter’s image as a kindly elder statesman, friend to world Jewry and bulwark of Israel’s security took an immediate beating.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elder statesman
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elder statesman
Noun
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The dean of the Kennedy School issued a statement distancing himself from the talk.—
Nathan Heller,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
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Cardinal Re picked to lead prayer vigil on Wednesday The dean of the College of Cardinals, meanwhile, was designated to lead the Vatican’s prayer vigil in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday night, thrusting a key figure in any future possible conclave into the spotlight.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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There's a child, someone middle-aged, and an elder in the painting.—
Suzanne Nuyen,
NPR,
25 Feb. 2025
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With its local connection and timely message of turning a listening ear to elders, the film’s screening—happening Saturday, February 22—is already sold out.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The reporter asked if Mr. Trump is considering what the administration can do to help those veterans salvage their lives.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2025
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Stafford and the Rams agreed to a contract adjustment on Friday, ending several weeks of speculation about the 16-year veteran’s future.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elder statesman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elder%20statesman. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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