the haves

plural noun

: people who have a lot of money and possessions : wealthy people
usually used in the phrase the haves and the have-nots
the gap between the haves and the have-nots

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web In other remarks, Bowser has also aimed to discuss the financial realities of the middle-class Washingtonians who are struggling to thrive in the city, a deviation from rhetoric that focused on the haves and have-nots that dominated last year’s mayoral primary. Michael Brice-saddler, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2023 The gap between the haves and have nots has only gotten wider during the pandemic. Anne D'innocenzio, Dallas News, 6 Apr. 2023 And locker room conflict — between the haves and have nots — will grow. Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2023 The gap between the haves and have-nots has widened. Ann Killion, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Mar. 2023 Like Gallego, Porter has highlighted how her opponents have taken money from corporate political action committees and sees focusing on the haves and have nots of capitalism as a potent issue. Benjamin Oreskes, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2023 Still, most of the haves and have-nots probably won’t change much in its waning weeks. Ian Livingston, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Mar. 2023 The money from these contracts goes back to the schools in the conferences, and can contribute to a growing gap between the haves and the have-nots. Katie Mcinerney, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Mar. 2023 See More

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

Dictionary Entries Near the haves

Cite this Entry

“The haves.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20haves. Accessed 1 Jun. 2023.

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