privileged

adjective

Save Word

priv·i·leged | \ ˈpriv-lijd

, ˈpri-və- \

Definition of privileged

1 : having or enjoying one or more privileges privileged classes

2 : not subject to the usual rules or penalties because of some special circumstance especially : not subject to disclosure in a court of law a privileged communication

Examples of privileged in a Sentence

He comes from a very privileged background. The town attracts people who are wealthy and privileged. The President's adviser has a privileged position of trust. She had privileged access to the files. Only the privileged few can become members of the club.

Recent Examples on the Web Pundits like Williamson mock Biden for listing broadband access as crucial infrastructure, but that’s a pronouncement from a privileged rooftop. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, "Column: Jeff Bezos likes Biden’s infrastructure plan because he knows it’s worth the money," 7 Apr. 2021 Anti-testing activists had been winning the argument for years by claiming the tests favor privileged students. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Inconvenient Facts for the War on Testing," 4 Apr. 2021 In the book, Biden notes his privileged background. — Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, "Why Hunter Biden's shocking memoir needed to be written," 2 Apr. 2021 Due to the obscene costs of living and tuition, even for privileged girls like Danielle, New York University has long been one of the top schools on Seeking Arrangement, the lead website for sugar babies. — Jocelyn Silver, Vogue, "Shiva Baby Is a Caustic Instant Classic With a Softy, Squishy Heart," 2 Apr. 2021 How are older adults who've been fully vaccinated — a privileged group, to be sure, given the millions of seniors who've yet to get shots — balancing a desire to shed isolation with a need to stay safe amid a pandemic that's not yet over? — Judith Graham, CNN, "Older adults begin to catch up on all that they missed during the pandemic after Covid-19 vaccinations," 31 Mar. 2021 Far from a disability, my HIV status has become a privileged opportunity to help others. — Jonathan Cohen, STAT, "A vaccine for my shame," 29 Mar. 2021 If there’s another surge, those communities likely will bear the brunt of it, while wealthier, more privileged parts of the state are protected by vaccines. — Erin Allday, San Francisco Chronicle, "'Impending doom' seen in U.S. coronavirus climb, and even Bay Area could slip back," 29 Mar. 2021 The rest of humanity must compete with themselves and us in this privileged category! — Star Tribune, "Readers Write: Immigration, being white and male, clean car rules, COVID vaccines," 25 Mar. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'privileged.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about privileged

Dictionary Entries near privileged

privies in law

privies in representation

privileged familiarity

Statistics for privileged

Last Updated

9 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Privileged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/privileged. Accessed 20 Apr. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for privileged

privileged

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of privileged

sometimes disapproving : having special rights or advantages that most people do not have

law : known only by the people who need to know

See the full definition for privileged in the English Language Learners Dictionary

privileged

adjective

priv·i·leged | \ ˈpri-və-lijd \

Kids Definition of privileged

: having more things and a better chance in life than most people He comes from a privileged family.

privileged

adjective

priv·i·leged

Legal Definition of privileged

: not subject to the usual rules or penalties because of some special circumstance especially : not subject to disclosure especially in an adjudicative proceeding

Keep scrolling for more