DEAN Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

dean

noun

ˈdēn

Definition of dean

as in elder

the senior member of a group the dean of the Aspen ski instructors oversaw the training of the rescue team

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 dean Nitin Nohria spent a decade as dean of Harvard Business School, and taught his first workshop there for new CEOs in 1997. — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026 According to Stephen Galloway, dean of Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, there are three types of directors’ jail. — Chris Lee, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026 Sirena Cantrell, dean of students and associate vice president of student affairs, expects another busy semester. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026 The discussion was moderated by Richard Buttimer, dean of the Belk College of Business. — Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dean

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dean

Noun

And, a consistent thread over the years, many students were interested in learning from their elders – everything from family histories to intergenerational advice and tough conversations about grief.

— Janet W. Lee, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Often, the pincher is in the company of an elder who lectures to her.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of elder

Noun

The 15-year veteran looked confident and capable against the Chiefs on Sunday, throwing for 365 yards and two touchdowns.

— Pete Sweeney October 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026
And considering the dearth of new mainstream stars — outside of Doechii and Don Toliver, other emerging talents have yet to commercially break through — hip-hop veterans have more of an opening to notch genuine hits.

— Michael Saponara, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of veteran

Noun

One of the doyens of Portuguese coaching, who has managed each of the big three in their home country and led Al Hilal to the title in 2023-24 after a 34-game unbeaten streak, was personally convinced by Ronaldo to cross the divide.

— Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Back home in Budapest, fellow academics and foreign diplomats marvel at the doyen of Hungarian foreign policy who doesn’t speak Hungarian.

— Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 6 Apr. 2026

Definition of doyen

Noun

Yesterday’s punk, grunge, and rebel-outsider upstarts have an uncanny way of evolving into today’s elder statesmen of respectable infamy.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
The squad’s elder statesmen set standards on the pitch and in the dressing room to help their more junior colleagues along their journey.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of elder statesman

Browse Nearby Words

deal (with)

dean

deans

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dean. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of dean

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes