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
Inflation has been above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target for five years. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 Start looking during the afternoon, when the sun is still well above the horizon. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Adverb
The Tap on the Line (pictured above) is the only pub in the capital which sits directly on a tube station platform, and is one of the last remaining 19th-century stations. — Will Barker, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026 The men appear to have developed a close relationship and often share pictures together on their socials, including posing together at the 2021 Los Angeles premiere of the Peter Jackson’s Beatles miniseries Get Back (see above). — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 13 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
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 Quiñonez’s teammates regard her as an above-average, highly aggressive defender, but assertive defense and foul trouble are often synonymous in college basketball. — Jake McCreven, Hartford Courant, 4 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
  • Her latest track follows her 2025 album, So Close To What, which debuted atop the Billboard 200, marking her first Number One single on the chart.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The area is sparsely populated with private estates set atop hills or within canyons, making firefighting access difficult.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of atop
Adverb
  • Of course, not just anyone could get away with so much disarray, especially with Tribeca-level overhead.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Get comfortable in a reclining lawn chair or sleeping bag, give your eyes time to adjust, and enjoy the view overhead and toward the southern sky.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of overhead
Noun
  • The influence of Black American music was absent from not just their Warwickshire peers at the time, but all of the dour indie milieu toiling under Thatcher’s grey skies.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
  • However, Gibraltar has a potential complication — the easterly Levanter wind can create a distinctive cap of cloud over the Rock even when surrounding skies are clear.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of sky
Adjective
  • The telling sequence There’s not a sequence more indicative of the aforementioned separation than the end of the first half.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
  • All Octant Praia Verde guests have access to a beautiful beach club, which includes loungers and umbrellas and the aforementioned beach bar.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of aforementioned
Preposition
  • Congress weighs competing proposals Anthropic’s draft enters a crowded legislative debate over how the United States should regulate frontier AI.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Conwell averaged 17 points per game and dished out 18 assists to four turnovers over the last three preseason games.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of over
Adverb
  • This rapid movement pushes against the ground, sending the robot upward and forward.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
  • According to him, the work has already attracted the interest of collectors ranging in age from their mid-to-late 20s and upwards.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of upward
Noun
  • 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
  • And thanks to Tucson’s extraordinarily dark heavens, the Sonoran skyscape takes center stage with Peace Among the Stars.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 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

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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 20 Oct. 2026.

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