1
as in adults
a person of advanced years
in that Asian society elders are accorded great respect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 elders
While choosing the layout, the tribe hosted listening sessions with community members and elders.
—
Sarah Liese,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
More important for the purposes of the Social Media Minimum Age’s failure is that Aussie youth undeniably know technology better than do their elders in Parliament.
—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Any money Fawn Bluff eventually makes will be spent locally, but Homalco elders and other partners are already part of the project.
—
The Editors,
Robb Report,
27 June 2026
Many of them have been with us for over 10 years, have amazing relationships with our elders, provide 24-hour care for them, all day, every day.
—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2026
Morris, his wife, Debbie, the church, along with a group of current and former church elders and a former employee, still face a $1 million defamation suit filed by Cindy Clemishire and her father.
—
Giles Hudson,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
Meanwhile, the Gen Zers now aging into homebuying represent a smaller cohort than their elders.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
On most measures, young people are more pessimistic than their elders about the future of the country and the resilience of the American dream, the aspiration that has fueled generations of Americans.
—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
At first Zeke seems the very embodiment of older generations’ complaints about GenZ ennui, but Rice isn’t taking cheap shots — not least since since his elders-but-not-wisers get no more flattering a portrait once George (Camp) enters the scene.
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Sarah Liese,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
More important for the purposes of the Social Media Minimum Age’s failure is that Aussie youth undeniably know technology better than do their elders in Parliament.
—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Any money Fawn Bluff eventually makes will be spent locally, but Homalco elders and other partners are already part of the project.
—
The Editors,
Robb Report,
27 June 2026
Many of them have been with us for over 10 years, have amazing relationships with our elders, provide 24-hour care for them, all day, every day.
—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2026
Morris, his wife, Debbie, the church, along with a group of current and former church elders and a former employee, still face a $1 million defamation suit filed by Cindy Clemishire and her father.
—
Giles Hudson,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
Meanwhile, the Gen Zers now aging into homebuying represent a smaller cohort than their elders.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
On most measures, young people are more pessimistic than their elders about the future of the country and the resilience of the American dream, the aspiration that has fueled generations of Americans.
—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
At first Zeke seems the very embodiment of older generations’ complaints about GenZ ennui, but Rice isn’t taking cheap shots — not least since since his elders-but-not-wisers get no more flattering a portrait once George (Camp) enters the scene.
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elders
Noun
-
Jama chants echoed through the park while children danced alongside adults and passing pedestrians stopped to watch.
-
His mission to catch adults who prey on children was launched when a friend in cybersecurity told him about the online danger.
Noun
-
The investigation, according to the archives, cited several factors as contributing to the tragedy, including Holland’s disregard of procedures, the failure of superiors to take previous action and the inadequate preparation of crew members aboard the doomed plane.
-
The president watched Israel assassinate his colleagues and superiors, faced accusations by ultra-conservative hardline politicians of compliance with Iran’s archenemy, the United States, and even oversaw a massive crackdown on protests.
Noun
-
Kean comes from a long line of public servants, stretching 250 years to the country’s founding when one of his ancestors became New Jersey’s first leader since independence.
-
The driving force for the tour is the idea that Black Americans and Muslims must unapologetically tell their own story, something their ancestors couldn’t do.
Noun
-
Pageants, deans' lists, graduations or military enlistments are not accepted.
-
Lloyd was born in Berkeley and raised in Lafayette by his parents, Lester Lloyd, one of the deans of the San Francisco printing industry, and Mildred Lloyd, a librarian at Stanley Middle School.
Noun
-
The exhibit features several dozen dinosaur animatronics that fully loom and roar, and a virtual aquarium stocked with swimming ancients.
Noun
-
The America250 website lists nonprofit organizations, including those that focus on civic engagement, education, housing, conservation and veterans, that people can donate to.
-
Two veterans go face to face in Portugal’s match against Croatia in Toronto.
Noun
-
Enough with the oldsters, what about those kids?
-
Most oldsters like myself still will probably find revisiting the piece enjoyable.
Noun
-
Admission is $18 general, $15 seniors/students/military, and free for children 18 and under.
-
Those resources include avenues to help seniors maintain regular exercise, ongoing positive social connections, appropriate living situations, transportation and more.
Cite this Entry
“Elders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elders. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
