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

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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

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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
That’s about 15 degrees above Kansas City’s average of 84 degrees for early September. — Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 Guidance The company's outlook for the full year and first quarter of fiscal 2027 came in above estimates across every line item. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Adverb
SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket can generate some serious thrust, leading to incredible displays of fireworks as seen in the photo above. — Brett Tingley, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2026 One trick whitetail expert Scott Bestul taught me years ago was to look for acorns without caps, because deer prefer these (for reference, all the acorns in the photo above are capped). — Colin Moore, Outdoor Life, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
All of the above makes Queensland, Australia, a top 2023 travel destination for you. — Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Dec. 2022 All of the above could have been at play Friday night for Kaneland and junior quarterback Troyer Carlson. — Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2022
Adjective
The full trailer for the series, which premieres next month, is above. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026 El Niño doesn’t always translate into above-average rainfall or a record Sierra snowpack here. — Valerie Pryor, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 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
  • Its exterior is rich with symbolism, from stone carvings representing the all-seeing eye of God to a golden statue, atop the highest spire, of an angel blowing a trumpet to herald the Second Coming.
    — Brandon Griggs, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The telescope will get off the ground and be propelled into space atop SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket from the historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of atop
Adverb
  • Ingenuity’s range was limited by a requirement to communicate through a base station on the Perseverance rover, while SkyFall will be capable of transmitting and receiving data through communications relay orbiters flying overhead.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Crane your neck to gawk at the sweeping ceiling murals overhead.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of overhead
Noun
  • Unfortunately for observers at mid-northern latitudes, this display occurs lower in the dusk sky than at any other time in Venus's 8-year cycle of recurring appearances.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • In the final days of summer, as New Yorkers hold on to their last al fresco dinners and natural tans, cloudy skies are the most unwelcome sight.
    — Joan Kennedy, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of sky
Adjective
  • The game will also be simulcast on Disney+, which doesn’t have a free trial of its own but is included in any of DirecTV’s Signature packages which offer the aforementioned five-day free trial.
    — Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The aforementioned Cora’s All Day Café is the spot to grab a quick bite, coffee, and a pastry to go.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of aforementioned
Preposition
  • China could reduce its advanced-chip supply deficit over the next decade as domestic production expands, but lithography is a major obstacle to semiconductor self-sufficiency, according to a Goldman Sachs analysis reported by a Chinese media outlet.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The role of companies Singapore’s new scheme shifts from merely encouraging births to focus on family well-being over the long term, which might help change how potential parents think about children.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of over
Adverb
  • For now, the VIX futures curve is sloped healthily upward into coming months, but things can shift in a hurry.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The percentage of the population with a college degree had been trending upwards since 2015.
    — Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of upward
Noun
  • 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
  • Sounds like heaven to me, but your security posture mileage may vary!
    — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 6 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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