higher-up

/ˈhaɪəɹ ˌʌp//ˌhaɪəɹ ˈʌp/

noun

Somebody with greater authority, seniority, rank, status or position; one who outranks.

“It's a great plan, but we'll have to get approval from the higher-ups to proceed.”

Similar
superiorsuperordinate
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Meanings

nounhigher-up (plural higher-ups)

plural higher-ups

  1. Somebody with greater authority, seniority, rank, status or position; one who outranks.

    It's a great plan, but we'll have to get approval from the higher-ups to proceed.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounone of greater rank or station or quality

Similar
superiorsuperordinate
Broader
leader
Also see
bosssachemsuperiorsuperordinate

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Cite this entry
APA

higher-up. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/higher-up

MLA

“higher-up.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/higher-up. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “higher-up,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/higher-up.

Source: higher-up on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.