as in classes
one of the segments of society into which people are grouped
a member of the upper caste
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of castes
Today, many non-Hindus in India, including Muslims, Christians, Jains and Buddhists, also identify with certain castes.
—
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
The term was then extended to include multiple groups outside the upper castes.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
So, there’s no political parties, there’s no races, and there’s no religions, but there are these two groups that are almost like castes.
—Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025
The Ramayana has hundreds of versions — across states, dialects, castes.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
India’s privileged castes hold a disproportionate share of its wealth.
—The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2025
If found guilty, these men could face harsher punishments under Indian laws designed to protect disadvantaged castes.
—Esha Mitra, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025
Civil confrontations invariably cross classes and castes, bringing together people from radically different social cohorts while separating seemingly natural allies.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
They were designed to help the backward castes under the untouchables and so forth, and then expanded to some other groups.
—Ananya Vajpeyi, Foreign Affairs, 27 Jan. 2016
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
The term was then extended to include multiple groups outside the upper castes.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
So, there’s no political parties, there’s no races, and there’s no religions, but there are these two groups that are almost like castes.
—Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025
The Ramayana has hundreds of versions — across states, dialects, castes.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
India’s privileged castes hold a disproportionate share of its wealth.
—The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2025
If found guilty, these men could face harsher punishments under Indian laws designed to protect disadvantaged castes.
—Esha Mitra, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025
Civil confrontations invariably cross classes and castes, bringing together people from radically different social cohorts while separating seemingly natural allies.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
They were designed to help the backward castes under the untouchables and so forth, and then expanded to some other groups.
—Ananya Vajpeyi, Foreign Affairs, 27 Jan. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for castes
Noun
-
Don’t miss other free activities like mocktail classes and horticultural tours of the extensive gardens.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
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Barker and Tomlinson had been at it for a year when the pandemic started, and their classes migrated to Zoom.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
Noun
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The department said its Gaslamp Enforcement teams can face large crowds, active fights and high levels of intoxication and sometimes deal with situations that quickly escalate.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
The hotel runs on a mix of solar and diesel power, switching to the next-generation generators when battery levels drop below 40%.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
When a chance encounter with a distraught stranger on a subway goes horribly wrong, Reacher is drawn into a complex and deadly game that pits him against ruthless foes from the highest echelons of power.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
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Meanwhile, the rest of the NBA is widely expected to be more competitive next season — from the bottom tier, where anti-tanking regulations and a weaker draft class should curb teams’ intentional losing, to the upper echelons, where Oklahoma City and San Antonio stand tall.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Buoyed by a circle of alumni, the sophomores have climbed the ranks of the city’s junior varsity debate league.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
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Over the next decade, Hood steadily rose through the company’s ranks before being named CFO in 2013.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Castes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castes. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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