上役|うわやくuwayaku[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounone's superior; higher-up; boss; senior
   上役うわやくにやたらにぺこぺこするな。↗

   Don't be subservient to your boss.

• Synonym上司じょうしNeutralThe everyday word for a superior in the modern workplace; unlike the old-fashioned 「上役」, it stresses someone with authority to direct and supervise you.
• SynonymボスCasualColloquial loanword for the boss, stressing the person who holds power; also used for the boss enemy at the end of a game level.
• RelatedリーダーNeutralLoanword for a leader; it stresses someone who guides a team and, unlike 「上役」, need not be your superior in rank.
• RelatedチーフNeutralLoanword for the person in charge of a department or section, as in 「チーフデザイナー」; it stresses heading a specific unit.
• RelatedフォアマンNeutralLoanword for a foreman; it refers to the supervisor directing workers at a factory or construction site, not superiors in general.
• Related主任しゅにんNeutralThe person responsible for a specific task, or the post itself; it points to a defined charge rather than anyone senior to you.
• Related職長しょくちょうWrittenA written-register term for a foreman, the post that directs and supervises workers on site; it names that specific role rather than superiors in general.
• Antonym部下ぶかNeutralThe opposite of 「上役」: a subordinate who follows orders from those above.

For someone above you at work, 「上役」 sounds old-fashioned; in today's workplace say 「上司」, or 「ボス」 in casual talk. The others name specific roles — team leader, department head, foreman, task manager — and 「部下」 is the opposite: your subordinate.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 自分じぶんが属ぞくしている部署ぶしょで自分じぶんより上位じょういの役職やくしょくの者もの。上司じょうし。