senior 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of seniornext
as in elderly
being of advanced years and especially past middle age bought special food intended for senior dogs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

senior

2 of 2

noun

ˈsē-nyər How to pronounce senior (audio)
1
as in ancestor
one who is older than another since the man next door is my senior by a number of years, I always address him as "Mr. Barton"

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in superior
one who is above another in rank, station, or office the young attorney benefited from the mentorship of one of his seniors at the firm

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3
as in dean
the senior member of a group when he retires, she will be the senior on the faculty

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4
as in elder
a person of advanced years weekday movie matinees are often popular with seniors

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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 senior
Adjective
Pakistan has confirmed its attendance, and He Wei, a senior Chinese lawmaker, plans to attend, the Chinese foreign ​ministry said on Thursday. — Emma Graham, CNBC, 4 July 2026 The training program is open to engineers, architects, technical professionals and senior university students as authorities prepare for what could become one of the country’s largest structural-inspection efforts. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Noun
As a senior at Kansas in 1979, Irvin led the Big Eight Conference with 27 punt returns for 321 yards and two touchdowns. — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 As a senior at Kansas in 1979, Irvin intercepted five passes and led the Big Eight with 27 punt returns for 321 yards and two touchdowns. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for senior
Recent Examples of Synonyms for senior
  1. elderly
  2. ancestor
  3. superior
  4. dean
  5. elder
  6. old
  7. predecessor
  8. boss
Adjective
  • Never leave children, elderly adults or pets in a parked car or truck, even for a few minutes, even if the windows are open, public safety agencies warn.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • According to police, an elderly driver struck a vehicle, struck the pedestrians and then crashed into a building.
    — Jose Fabian, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Definition of elderly
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.
    — Mike Catalini, Fortune, 30 June 2026
  • One of these is likely the evolutionary ancestor of all that is to come.
    — Stephen Witt, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Definition of ancestor
Noun
  • For example, women athletes are routinely portrayed as emotional, powerless, and reliant on their coaches or superiors, resulting in their infantilization, all while their men athlete counterparts are framed as rational and confident.
    — Lindsey Darvin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • 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.
    — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Definition of superior
Noun
  • Ian Williamson, dean of the business school, said the new federal policy played a role in the decision as well as student scheduling preferences.
    — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • But Erwin Chemerinsky, Berkeley’s law school dean, said Trump still won most of the cases the court decided either after oral arguments or through emergency appeals the administration brought.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of dean
Noun
  • 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
Definition of elder
Adjective
  • The infant, who is 9 months old, was rescued along with her mother, the State Department told Fox News Digital.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • While students honed their skills at the Santa Monica studio for the last year and four months, Blanck found an old pilates studio in Pacific Highlands for rent, but the numbers just didn't add up.
    — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of old
Noun
  • Vahidi, who assumed the role after his predecessor Mohammad Pakpour was killed in US-Israeli strikes on the first day of the war, is rarely seen in public.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • The elaborate funeral of his predecessor, Ruhollah Khomeini, was also orchestrated to demonstrate leadership continuity in 1989.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 5 July 2026
Definition of predecessor
Noun
  • Among those courtside include members of the NBA champ New York Knicks; Kelce’s Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, other teammates and coaches; ex-Disney boss Bob Iger and spouse Willow Bay; and current Disney powerhouse Dana Walden.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 July 2026
  • And ordering wine even when the boss hasn’t is exactly that—showing bold initiative.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 3 July 2026
Definition of boss

Phrases Containing senior

Browse Nearby Words

senility
senior
senior citizen
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Cite this Entry

“Senior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/senior. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on senior

Nglish: Translation of senior for Spanish Speakers

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