quarterback
1 of 2noun
quar·ter·back ˈkwȯ(r)-tər-ˌbak 
1
: an offensive back in football who usually lines up behind the center, calls the signals, and directs the offensive play of the team
2
: one who directs and leads
quarterback
2 of 2verb
quarterbacked; quarterbacking; quarterbacks
transitive verb
1
: to direct the offensive play of
quarterback a football team
2
: to give executive direction to : boss
quarterbacked the original buying syndicate 
Time
Timeintransitive verb
: to play quarterback
Synonyms
Verb
- boss
- captain
- handle
- head
- overlook
- oversee
- superintend
- supervise
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb He quarterbacked his high school team. She quarterbacked the company's latest ad campaign.
Recent Examples on the Web The Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2022 Robinson’s return — and his role — is one of several story lines for the Jaguars heading into the opener: — Pederson’s debut with Jacksonville comes against his former quarterback in Philadelphia, Carson Wentz. Mark Long, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Sep. 2022 Caleb Williams can run After one week, USC’s leading rusher is its quarterback. Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2022 Washington State didn't get to pull its quarterback in the season opener vs. Idaho. Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Sep. 2022 The Ravens will see their former franchise quarterback, Joe Flacco, who played just 66 snaps last season but posted a 113 passer rating. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 9 Sep. 2022 The Dolphins passed on Brees again in 2006 and made Daunte Culpepper their quarterback of choice in free agency. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 9 Sep. 2022 Super Bowl title – in no small part because of their quarterback, Josh Allen. Josh Peter, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 The Browns face Carolina and their former starting quarterback, Baker Mayfield, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Sunday at 1 p.m. cleveland, 9 Sep. 2022 Mike Jones, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2022 The couple joined Teller's Divergent co-star Shailene Woodley and her then-beau, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, for a couples trip to Hawaii in May 2021. Nasha Smith, Peoplemag, 23 Aug. 2022 Earlier this week, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed his displeasure with his young receivers’ performances. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 19 Aug. 2022 Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has appeared in Gruber ads. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 21 July 2022 Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and NHL player Connor McDavid. Stephanie Wenger And Jason Duaine Hahn, PEOPLE.com, 20 July 2022 Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers prides himself on being an NFL historian. Rob Reischel, Forbes, 6 July 2022 Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was the top vote-getter at his position with 34 and Tom Brady received the remaining 16 votes. Dan Labbe, cleveland, 14 Jan. 2022 Penn State returns quarterback Sean Clifford, who was banged up for most of the second half of the season, but the team must also replace an NFL receiver in Jahan Dotson. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 29 Aug. 2022 See More
Noun
But when that exact scenario played out Friday night at Firebird Stadium, everyone on the Lakota West sideline knew their star quarterback would respond. The Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2022 Robinson’s return — and his role — is one of several story lines for the Jaguars heading into the opener: — Pederson’s debut with Jacksonville comes against his former quarterback in Philadelphia, Carson Wentz. Mark Long, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Sep. 2022 Caleb Williams can run After one week, USC’s leading rusher is its quarterback. Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2022 Washington State didn't get to pull its quarterback in the season opener vs. Idaho. Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Sep. 2022 The Ravens will see their former franchise quarterback, Joe Flacco, who played just 66 snaps last season but posted a 113 passer rating. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 9 Sep. 2022 The Dolphins passed on Brees again in 2006 and made Daunte Culpepper their quarterback of choice in free agency. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 9 Sep. 2022 Super Bowl title – in no small part because of their quarterback, Josh Allen. Josh Peter, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 The Browns face Carolina and their former starting quarterback, Baker Mayfield, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Sunday at 1 p.m. cleveland, 9 Sep. 2022 Verb
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers leads the league, making $50 million per season on average, while Denver's Russell Wilson just agreed to a five-year extension that will pay him roughly $49 million per season. Mike Jones, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2022 The couple joined Teller's Divergent co-star Shailene Woodley and her then-beau, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, for a couples trip to Hawaii in May 2021. Nasha Smith, Peoplemag, 23 Aug. 2022 Earlier this week, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed his displeasure with his young receivers’ performances. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 19 Aug. 2022 Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has appeared in Gruber ads. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 21 July 2022 Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and NHL player Connor McDavid. Stephanie Wenger And Jason Duaine Hahn, PEOPLE.com, 20 July 2022 Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers prides himself on being an NFL historian. Rob Reischel, Forbes, 6 July 2022 Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was the top vote-getter at his position with 34 and Tom Brady received the remaining 16 votes. Dan Labbe, cleveland, 14 Jan. 2022 Penn State returns quarterback Sean Clifford, who was banged up for most of the second half of the season, but the team must also replace an NFL receiver in Jahan Dotson. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 29 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1892, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Phrases Containing quarterback
Kids Definition
quarterback
noun
quar·ter·back ˈkwȯr-tər-ˌbak
: a football player who leads a team's attempts to score usually by passing the ball to other players
quarterbacks 1 of 2
noun
as in managers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- managers
- leaders
- commanders
- directors
- handlers
- captains
- designers
- producers
- makers
- engineers
- builders
- architects
- formulators
- contrivers
- originators
- organizers
- schemers
- hatchers
- spawners
- planners
- machinators
- developers
- masterminds
- finaglers
- plotters
- maneuverers
- generators
- inspirers
- arrangers
- initiators
- pioneers
- instituters
- institutors
- inaugurators
quarterbacks
2 of 2verb
as in supervises
to be in charge of she was tapped to quarterback the upcoming gubernatorial campaign Synonyms & Similar Words
- supervises
- captains
- oversees
- handles
- commands
- bosses
- heads
- steers
- watches over
- manages
- shepherds
- controls
- orders
- superintends
- guides
- rides herd on
- calls the tune (for)
- runs
- monitors
- directs
- overlooks
- calls the shots (of)
- shows
- rules
- administers
- reigns
- governs
- presides (over)