lieutenant

noun

lü-ˈte-nənt How to pronounce lieutenant (audio)
Definition of lieutenantnext
as in assistant
a person who helps a more skilled person the drug lord has a pair of brutal lieutenants who do most of his dirty work for him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 lieutenant Throughout his career, Grove has been a firefighter, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief and Deputy Chief of Operations. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026 There’s the longtime police lieutenant, and the local career fishermen, and the seafood caterers, and the waitresses at a local restaurant—a couple of party-happy Irish girls, and a beleaguered Australian. — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026 Sam Machado, a former Yolo County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant, faces 26 felony charges, including seven counts of murder and multiple counts of explosives and weapons possession. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2026 Lohse has been with the department for 27 years, according to the news release from the city and fire department, rising from firefighter to lieutenant in 2015 to deputy chief in 2023. — Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lieutenant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lieutenant
  1. assistant
  2. adjutant
  3. aide
  4. deputy
  5. apprentice
  6. aid
Noun
  • Alex Wagner, who served as assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs during the Biden administration, argued recruiting has remained remarkably insulated from those political battles.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Coach Ken Niumatalolo built a veteran staff of assistants under Filimoeatu, adding defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach Brian Norwood along with safeties coach Joe Dale.
    — Niles Hall, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of assistant
Noun
  • But that hasn’t stopped out-of-state reenactors from worrying their muskets will be confiscated at the George Washington Bridge, says Justin Costantino, adjutant of the Long Island Companies of the 3rd New York Regiment.
    — Allen G. Breed, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
  • In the months since fellow senior Legion executives suspended Abrahamson without pay from his statewide adjutant job in April, a number of the roughly 8,000 members in Idaho have called for a change in leadership.
    — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 13 July 2024
Definition of adjutant
Noun
  • The story begins on February 5 of that year, when a graduate student and dormitory aide discovered that the small canvas was missing from the university’s Students Union building.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Sankofa United Principal Leigh Daniels said all of the school’s teacher positions are fully staffed and so are other key positions like instructional aides and counselors.
    — Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of aide
Noun
  • Among them were Broward County sheriff’s deputies who wanted photos and a trio of women who lamented they had been drawn into a new Republican-leaning district.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • His prosecutor was a young Johnnie Cochran, later to be a superstar defense lawyer, then a deputy city attorney.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of deputy
Noun
  • During his first two years as a starter, Santori was the apprentice who carefully studied the game and developed organically under the influence of his older peers.
    — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Twenty years later, John (Pierre) is serving as an apprentice to an older, grouchier Hal.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of apprentice
Noun
  • Officers attempted to render medical aid until medics arrived on the scene, but the man was ultimately pronounced dead.
    — Patrick Damp, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • And among all the driver aids and autonomous kit there’s even a dedicated Pet Mode to safely keep the cabin cool while parked.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of aid

Browse Nearby Words

lie up
lieutenant
lieutenants
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Cite this Entry

“Lieutenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lieutenant. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lieutenant

Nglish: Translation of lieutenant for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lieutenant

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