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
This particular idea has gained traction in part because such elder statesmen have, in fact, played a central role in the party’s history.
—
Deng Yuwen, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2025
The band received some oddball counsel from elder statesmen of the scene.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
The game’s elder statesman Of course, 29 is much older than 21 — especially in college hoops.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2025
On a day when the last remaining Israeli hostages returned home after two years in captivity, and both Israelis and Palestinians celebrated the end of the Israel-Hamas war, many of America's elder statesmen and stateswomen kept mum.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elder statesman
Deng Yuwen, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2025
The band received some oddball counsel from elder statesmen of the scene.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
The game’s elder statesman Of course, 29 is much older than 21 — especially in college hoops.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2025
On a day when the last remaining Israeli hostages returned home after two years in captivity, and both Israelis and Palestinians celebrated the end of the Israel-Hamas war, many of America's elder statesmen and stateswomen kept mum.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elder statesman
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elder statesman
Noun
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Jahneel Small, chief of staff and special organizing projects for Educators for Excellence, worked as a teacher and dean of students for 17 years.—
Theo Peck-Suzuki,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
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Prior to becoming interim principal, Misicka was Larkin’s assistant principal of culture and climate for six years and freshman dean of students for two years.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Elder statesman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elder%20statesman. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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