elitism

noun

elit·​ism i-ˈlē-ˌti-zəm  ē-  ā- 

1

: leadership or rule by an elite

2

: the selectivity of the elite

especially : snobbery

elitism in choosing new members

3

: consciousness of being or belonging to an elite

Examples of elitism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Zulfi is an iconoclast and a hustler, a man who dreams of opening a Muslims-only version of Uber and who, even in the face of Shah’s elitism and English society’s broader wariness, holds onto an unshakable optimism. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 May 2026

If all this sounds eye-roll-inducing, take note that the pies’ scarcity isn’t a form of elitism, or a McRib-style marketing gimmick. —Allecia Vermillion, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 May 2026

Coming from a religious upbringing, this idea of elitism deeply shocked me. —Natalie Stoclet, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

Rapinoe's fans aren't happy that their hero is taking a check from FIFA to promote such elitism. —Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for elitism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• sophism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism