boss 1 of 3

noun

ˈbȯs How to pronounce boss (audio)
Definition of bossnext
as in leader
the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do every morning the boss hands out a list of top-priority tasks

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

boss

2 of 3

adjective

ˈbȯs How to pronounce boss (audio)
slang
as in excellent
of the very best kind that's a really boss stereo you've got

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

boss

3 of 3

verb

ˈbȯs How to pronounce boss (audio)
1
as in to supervise
to be in charge of she bossed that project for years, until she was promoted again

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2
as in to rule
to exercise authority or power over bossed the entire job site for a year

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3
as in to lead
to serve as leader of bossed the entire gang of electricians on the construction project

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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 boss
Noun
Google DeepMind’s new boss is set to face intense pressure to close the AI performance gap with OpenAI and Anthropic. — Arjun Kharpal,kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026 Mandalorian and Grogu was co-written by Favreau, Noah Kloor and Lucasfilm co-boss Dave Filoni. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
Adjective
That’s basically the boss level of the shopping game—and usually requires hours of research. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 20 Nov. 2025 This excludes things like putting in legendaries for end of mission rewards or taking them out of non-boss chests. — Paul Tassi, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2021
Verb
Be ready to boss up and take dominion of situations that are seemingly out of your control (but won’t be for long) to help attain a sense of security. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 30 Mar. 2026 England was bossing the game up front at 27-17 until Genge was sin-binned and France pounced. — ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for boss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boss
  1. leader
  2. excellent
  3. supervise
  4. rule
  5. lead
  6. foreman
  7. awesome
  8. oversee
Noun
  • Bronin, who is 47, made an argument for a new crop of leaders inside the party, framing his campaign as a response to Democrats’ losses in 2024 after President Joe Biden ended his race for re-election amid concerns about his age.
    — Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • From technological upheavals to an increasingly frenetic global trend cycle, industry leaders are constantly tasked with predicting what comes next — which is no small feat in 2026.
    — Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of leader
Adjective
  • Simashev is excellent defensively and on retrievals and tilts the ice in his favor.
    — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • As far as pop stars who happen to also be thoughtful and excellent songwriters go, Kahan is in the upper ranks.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of excellent
Verb
  • Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid summoned a staffer to repair a troubling divot, while linebacker Terrel Bernard supervised.
    — Tim Graham, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The fish are raised in ponds fed with river water that flows off the Gombori mountains, monitored constantly to ensure proper egg development, and supervised until just the right time arrives for harvesting, salting, and packaging.
    — Felipe Riccio, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of supervise
Verb
  • In the filing, the Justice Department urged the appeals court to reverse the Tennessee federal judge’s ruling dismissing criminal charges against Abrego Garcia.
    — Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Judge Carli Kierny, presiding over the case, has ruled the jury will be able to hear about the book Davis published and his previous police interviews.
    — Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of rule
Verb
  • The Broncos, who lost in the AFC championship game last season, led 24-0 at halftime and were never threatened.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The continent has the world’s youngest population, but several countries are still led by aging leaders whose political careers began decades ago, including former liberation figures now governing in a different era.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of lead
Noun
  • Corey Sooter, 44, a foreman for an electrical company working on the project, died on June 10.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Fischer had tried to recruit others in her crusade against the local government, including foreman Ben Kessler.
    — Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of foreman
Adjective
  • Like genuinely one of the most awesome episodes in the Game of Thrones universe.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Justin Gonzales, the club’s top power prospect, is having an awesome stretch for the Drive.
    — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of awesome
Verb
  • Hines, 66, appealed unsuccessfully to the governor and the courts, saying that the doctor who oversaw the May execution was unqualified and likely to botch his execution as well.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The new owners took over the keys to a tired and decaying club in the spring and have since overseen a summer renovation that has stretched from assembling a new first-team squad to restoring hot water to Hillsborough.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of oversee

Phrases Containing boss

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bosquets
boss
boss (around)
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Cite this Entry

“Boss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boss. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on boss

Nglish: Translation of boss for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about boss

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