1
as in nobility
the highest class in a society
at one time in China only the aristocracy could own land
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in elite
individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class
membership in the society is reserved for the literary world's aristocracy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of aristocracy
This time, Industry unfolds as a sharp, uncomfortable on-the-nose commentary of modern politics, media, technocrats and the seemingly-immovable aristocracy of British society.
—
Chloe Laws, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026
The best dressed women in the world adored his designs, and his clientele included everyone from American First Ladies and Movie Stars to members of the aristocracy.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The Kardashians and other ring-light aristocracy passed around asymptomatic tests like hors d’oeuvres for parties while frontline clinicians — going toe-to-toe with the virus and terrified of turning their children into their next patients — were informed there simply weren’t tests to spare.
—Jennifer W. Tsai, STAT, 18 Jan. 2026
Some moved to England in order to receive an education or marry into the aristocracy; others journeyed to India, Macau, or Rome.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aristocracy
Chloe Laws, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026
The best dressed women in the world adored his designs, and his clientele included everyone from American First Ladies and Movie Stars to members of the aristocracy.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The Kardashians and other ring-light aristocracy passed around asymptomatic tests like hors d’oeuvres for parties while frontline clinicians — going toe-to-toe with the virus and terrified of turning their children into their next patients — were informed there simply weren’t tests to spare.
—Jennifer W. Tsai, STAT, 18 Jan. 2026
Some moved to England in order to receive an education or marry into the aristocracy; others journeyed to India, Macau, or Rome.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aristocracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aristocracy
Noun
-
Built as a resort for 19th-century nobility, the town still has plenty of stately vistas, particularly striking after a snowfall.—
Andrew Fedorov,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Sophie is wearing the dress of nobility.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Schnitzer was also closely connected to Israel’s political and intelligence elite.—
Nicolas Niarchos,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
-
But Wasserman is the rare case of a wealthy, renown American elite whose empire is crumbling under calls for accountability from the public, local lawmakers and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The nobles and gentry—the billionaires of Tudor England—made fortunes from the reclaimed monastery lands and created a myth of Henry’s military strength and English pride.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Parker will play Mary Washington, George’s strong willed mother, while Rodgers will play Sally Cary, the charming beauty of the Virginia gentry who first sees his potential.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Canadians are the best in best-on-best.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The two most notable team stats were points in the paint, where the Aztecs scored 52 points; and turnovers, where the visitors committed six while forcing 22, both season bests.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
If there were a Mensa society for rationalizing one’s own shitty behavior, Pippa would be its president.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 2026
-
And your personal history with someone who abused alcohol and struggled with society makes your son-in-law’s behavior especially triggering.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Percy Jackson and the Olympians has added some Disney royalty to the season 3 cast.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty.—
Alex Nitzberg,
FOXNews.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Venhuizen ultimately declared the sales tax reduction bill defeated due to its lack of an 18-vote majority of members-elect.—
Makenzie Huber,
States Newsroom,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Mike elects to go out on his own, and thus Money dispatches the mangy-looking kill machine Orman (Barry Keoghan; bleach-blond hair plus exposed roots = sociopath) to intercept Mike’s next job and take him down.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Pope Leo sought reconciliation through dialogue and exceptions to restrictions on traditional worship, but the group says his response doesn’t address their priesthood succession concerns.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Apostles are all men in accordance with the church's all-male priesthood.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aristocracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aristocracy. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
