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Synonyms

statesman

American  
[steyts-muhn] / ˈsteɪts mən /

noun

statesmen plural
  1. a person who is experienced in the art of government or versed in the administration of government affairs.

  2. a person who exhibits great wisdom and ability in directing the affairs of a government or in dealing with important public issues.


statesman British  
/ ˈsteɪtsmən /

noun

  1. a political leader whose wisdom, integrity, etc, win great respect

  2. a person active and influential in the formulation of high government policy, such as a cabinet member

  3. a politician

"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

Synonym Usage

See politician.

Gender

See -man.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

Etymology

Origin of statesman

First recorded in 1585–95; state + 's 1 + -man, modeled on steersman; compare the phrase ship of state

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Letterman is enjoying his elder statesman status with an interview show on Netflix, “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction,” that he makes on his own schedule.

From Salon • May 21, 2026

If McIlroy’s not the face of golf, he is undeniably its statesman, a little grayer and wiser than a champion his age should be.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

He stayed on as Clinton's chief adviser after he left office in 2000 and helped him transition from president into a jet-setting elder statesman.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026

That he’d become something, in other words, resembling a statesman.

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2026

Like Jefferson—indeed, like any self-respecting statesman of the era, save perhaps Burr—Adams had no intention of campaigning for the office.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

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