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
Examples of the haves in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The transfer portal and NIL money were taking over, the haves and have-nots further separated.
—
Greg Cote
updated March 23, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
There has been plenty of rightful crowing about the quagmire that is college athletics, most of it directly traceable to the money – the death of senior night, overrecruiting, tampering, transferring and what can only be described as a nearly uncrossable chasm between the haves and have nots.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
The problem is that there might be historically few at-large berths available to mid-major conferences as the preposterous sums of money coursing through the sport accentuates the divide between the haves and have-nots.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Armed with fabulous ensembles and accessories, as well as her quick wit, Maxine attempts to cross that impermeable line between the haves and the have-nots.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the haves
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Greg Cote
updated March 23, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
There has been plenty of rightful crowing about the quagmire that is college athletics, most of it directly traceable to the money – the death of senior night, overrecruiting, tampering, transferring and what can only be described as a nearly uncrossable chasm between the haves and have nots.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
The problem is that there might be historically few at-large berths available to mid-major conferences as the preposterous sums of money coursing through the sport accentuates the divide between the haves and have-nots.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Armed with fabulous ensembles and accessories, as well as her quick wit, Maxine attempts to cross that impermeable line between the haves and the have-nots.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the haves
Cite this Entry
“The haves.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20haves. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
