elder statesman
an influential citizen, often a retired high official, whose advice is sought by government leaders.
any influential member of a company, group, etc., whose advice is respected.
Japanese History. any of the political leaders who retired from official office but continued to exert a strong influence in the government and who controlled the emperor's privy council, especially in the period 1898–1914.
Origin of elder statesman
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use elder statesman in a sentence
Despairing, he is consoled by an elder statesman of his party.
Will John McCain play the elder statesman on filibuster reform?
In reality, perhaps the elder statesman resigned from public life because he knew his luck had run out.
Silvio Berlusconi Convicted of Tax Fraud, Banned From Holding Office | Barbie Latza Nadeau | October 26, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTIt marked the end of his presidential hopes and allowed him free rein to return to the Senate as an elder statesman.
Undaunted in Defeat, Michele Bachmann Returns to Minnesota | Ben Jacobs | February 22, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTAs the wise elder statesman, Gingrich might yet be able to capture some of the gravitas that his opening weeks took away.
"You know what I think," said the elder statesman thoughtfully.
The Prime Minister | Anthony TrollopeEven with the Labor Party in power he was a respected elder statesman.
The Sensitive Man | Poul William Anderson
British Dictionary definitions for elder statesman
an old, experienced, and eminent person, esp a politician, whose advice is often sought
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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