as in classes
one of the segments of society into which people are grouped
a member of the upper caste
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of castes
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
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
Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025
The Ramayana has hundreds of versions — across states, dialects, castes.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 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
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Four Democratic-Farm-Labor Party lawmakers who chair state Senate education committees cited Minneapolis Public Schools canceling classes and extracurricular activities last week after federal agents reportedly clashed with students and staff during Roosevelt High School’s dismissal on Wednesday.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
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Currently, says Wiesner-Smillie, the center has 122 volunteers but looking to add another 25 weekly tutors for its ESL program and for classes that prepare men and women for their naturalization tests.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Large and textured buttons on the headphones offer tactile control of the volume levels and also function as a power switch and taking incoming calls from a smartphone.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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These odors are often exacerbated by high moisture levels from the sinks, showers, tubs, not to mention what gets flushed down our drains.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This move seemingly kicked off a chain reaction across the upper echelons of luxury brands.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
20 Jan. 2026
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Abughazaleh has risen to the upper echelons of fundraisers, in part due to a massive social media audience.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That's not to mention the lower ranks where teams like James Madison or Tulane might find their way into the 12-team field, only to get obliterated in the playoff and lose their coaches and half their players to Power Five schools along the way.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
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On Tuesday, Cuba released their names, ranks and ages.—
Greg Norman-Diamond,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Castes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castes. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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