higher-up

noun

high·​er-up ˌhī-ər-ˈəp How to pronounce higher-up (audio)
ˈhī-ər-ˌəp
Synonyms of higher-upnext
: a superior officer or official

Examples of higher-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The federal investigation into Castro created turmoil inside the Justice Department, with a prosecutor on the case accusing higher-ups of blocking efforts to bring more serious civil rights charges. — Valerie Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Fowlkes spoke to employees, who said during a recorded conversation that company higher-ups have told them to blast the music. — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 The development was met with private fury from several higher-ups at EFL clubs, with those growing club losses cited. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026 The ‘next step’ On a sunny September day last year in the Chinese port city of Ningbo, not far from Shanghai, higher-ups from shipping company Sea Legend mingled with local transport officials at a port terminal. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for higher-up

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of higher-up was in 1902

Rhymes for higher-up

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Browse Nearby Words

Higher Thought
higher-up
highest common factor
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Cite this Entry

“Higher-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/higher-up. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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