above 1 of 4

preposition

Definition of abovenext
as in atop
higher than one minute our kite was above the telephone wires; the next minute it was tangled in them

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

above

2 of 4

adverb

ə-ˈbəv How to pronounce above (audio)
as in overhead
to or in a higher place we eventually got used to the planes constantly flying above

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

above

3 of 4

noun

as in sky
a dwelling place of perfect happiness for the soul after death in her dying days she was supposedly visited by an angel from above

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

above

4 of 4

adjective

as in aforementioned

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 above
Preposition
The Rays, known for punching above their weight in the big-spending American League East, missed the playoffs entirely the past two years. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026 Benson has provided the Chiefs with a five-game performance above what might be expected from a tryout candidate. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Adverb
Autobiographical approaches in fiction and nonfiction appear in different ways in the works of the three writers discussed above. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026 Watch the trailer for La Tierra del Valor (Home of the Brave) above. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
All of the above can have a significant positive impact on workplace occupants, which also includes contractors who periodically work out of the same offices and sites. — Dr. Jeremy Nunn, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022 All of the above makes Queensland, Australia, a top 2023 travel destination for you. — Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Dec. 2022
Adjective
In our review, PCMag audio expert Tim Gideon lauded these headphones' above-average noise cancellation at their regular price. — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026 Analysts say Lula has a potentially narrow path to victory through boosting voter turnout in the three most populous states — Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro — that also have above-average abstention rates. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for above
Recent Examples of Synonyms for above
  1. atop
  2. overhead
  3. sky
  4. aforementioned
  5. over
  6. upward
  7. heaven
  8. aforesaid
Preposition
  • This has been tried before … The MMX spacecraft rode into orbit atop a 207-foot-tall (63-meter) H3 rocket, Japan’s flagship launch vehicle.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Eric Schmidt spent nearly a decade atop Google as its CEO, steering the tech giant from its early days as a public company to its current status as one of the world’s most valuable businesses.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of atop
Adverb
  • With a police helicopter hovering overhead, police started using tear gas and a water cannon in an effort to move the protesters back.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Drive through your heels to return to a standing position, using that momentum to press the dumbbells overhead until your arms are locked.
    — Sarah Stiefvater, Flow Space, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of overhead
Noun
  • Scoring the best view For optimal sky-gazing, Petro suggested finding a place free of obstruction from trees or buildings, such as a large field.
    — Dharma Niles, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Rocks and plants The first method measures beryllium-10, an isotope that accumulates in the top few centimeters of rock that is exposed to the sky.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of sky
Adjective
  • Carla’s law firm, on the other hand, is desperate to cover up that the aforementioned 20-something Henderson cheated on their client with was a honey pot, planted by his wife who wants ammo for her divorce filing.
    — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Per Nielsen, the only games among the top 10 that did not include an SEC team were the aforementioned Buckeyes-Hoosiers showdown and ABC’s primetime presentation of Notre Dame-BYU.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of aforementioned
Preposition
  • Election forecaster Cook Political Report shifted Ohio’s gubernatorial race toward Democratic candidate Amy Acton on Friday after a week of backlash over an ad Republican Vivek Ramaswamy ran featuring her estranged mother.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Playing a real game in Spectrum Center for the first time since trading away LaMelo Ball over the summer, this was Charlotte’s first chance since that controversial deal to show the home fans that the deal was a good one.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of over
Adverb
  • Along the banks of the Huangpu River in Shanghai, a sweeping spiral staircase winds along the side of a white building, flowing upward toward the roof like a puff of smoke hanging in the air.
    — Wendy Wang, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2026
  • This prompted the Federal Reserve to deliver its first rate hike since 2023, driving borrowing costs upward.
    — , CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of upward
Noun
  • Tasting menu guests can expect six courses of heaven, filled with handcrafted pasta, fresh seafood and elevated entrees that with linger with you.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
  • This world’s heavens are lit with cosmic rays, its cityscapes otherworldly — everything seems to service an unabashed romanticism.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of heaven
Adjective
  • On several occasions this writer has had the pleasure of gazing at the aforesaid state capitol building at Tallahassee … which looked, at first glance, like a garage only there was a kind of dome on top and garages usually do not have domes.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2026
  • Still and thankfully, the aforesaid incident doesn’t stop Lauren from attending a wedding with Sean in Palm Springs, which is when things take a real turn towards Lauren’s self-actualization.
    — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of aforesaid

Phrases Containing above

Browse Nearby Words

about-turns
above
aboveboard
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Cite this Entry

“Above.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/above. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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