as in classes
one of the segments of society into which people are grouped
a member of the upper caste
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 castes
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
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
-
Velasco was accustomed to teaching large classes; 50 students listened attentively to his lecture.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Room rates include several complimentary activities for guests, such as weekly movement classes like yoga, daily wine tastings in the Garden Room, informal art talks, and access to the kids’ club.—
Heather Richardson,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Two of the missions with uncertain futures monitor carbon dioxide levels in the Earth's atmosphere.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Spanning more than 12,636 square feet over three levels, the unit carries men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, eyewear and beauty collections.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Americans’ success was frustrating to Iran’s high echelons.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
-
But the Fed’s diversity problem hasn’t just been at the upper echelons of the institution.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Pundits have always dominated the ranks of posters on social media, but now the masses of silent followers are declining, and continued posting risks preaching to accounts of the converted, the disengaged, or the defunct.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
-
First of all, the franchise has tended to pull its season leads from its own ranks over the years, with many Bachelorette stars having previously competed on The Bachelor, and vice versa.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Castes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castes. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share