overclass

noun

over·​class ˈō-vər-ˌklas How to pronounce overclass (audio)
: the highest social stratum : the segment of a society usually having the most wealth, influence, education, and prestige compare underclass

Examples of overclass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Arizona congressman knew Sinema’s appearance at the World Economic Forum cavorting with the neoliberal overclass only helped his case. Daniel Strauss, The New Republic, 25 Jan. 2023 But through plain mismanagement of this crisis, to a stubborn insistence on the politics of the left-wing overclass, Trudeau’s government has maneuvered itself into a class conflict that can rapidly get out of control. Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 11 Feb. 2022 Picking Kamala Harris is a sign that the overclass capture of the Democratic Party is still on, even if an old warhorse of the dying FDR coalition has to temporarily stand in the leading spot. Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 13 Aug. 2020 The Jedi knights, turns out, are an emotionless priestly overclass raised in a society of parentless tutorials. Darren Franich, EW.com, 20 Nov. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overclass.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overclass was in 1965

Dictionary Entries Near overclass

Cite this Entry

“Overclass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overclass. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!