ELDER STATESMAN Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

elder statesman

noun

Definition of elder statesman

as in dean

the senior member of a group the elder statesman of the White House correspondents is finally retiring after nearly a half century of service

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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 elder statesman Now an elder statesman who by all anatomical metrics should be well past his peak, the 38-year-old is still central to everything Argentina do. — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 As vilification of the Founders and the Revolution became more common, both in academia and in society at large, Wood functioned as part elder statesman and part lightning rod. — Craig Bruce Smith, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026 Austria’s other elder statesman will join Alaba as the team’s leader. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 7 June 2026 The Rangers need another strong campaign from the two elder statesmen on the starting staff. — Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elder statesman

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elder statesman

Noun

Leadership at the university turned over last year, with the president, the dean of students and the director of Greek life all departing.

— Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Parolin, who had been Francis' top deputy but remains in the job, was considered a leading contender in the conclave that elected Leo and was recently passed over as dean of the College of Cardinals.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of dean

Noun

Fawn Youngbear-Tibbetts, the group's executive director, said then that recordings of elders' stories on old tapes were likely melted.

— Eric Henderson, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
The day of the shooting, after Roberts took his own life at the scene, while the victims were flown to the nearest hospital, an Amish elder publicly forgave Roberts before the news cameras.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of elder

Noun

For wellness-minded readers, veterans and the parents of young athletes, how testosterone works has become more than a locker-room topic.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
According to the Death Penalty Information Center, Reaves would be at least the 235th military veteran executed nationwide in the modern era and the 14th veteran executed under DeSantis.

— Gretchen Reynolds, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of veteran

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elder statesman

elder statesmen

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“Elder statesman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elder%20statesman. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of elder statesman

noun

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