as in classes
one of the segments of society into which people are grouped
a member of the upper caste
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Recent Examples of castes
Subterranean, drywood and dampwood, the three most common types of termites in the United States, all have reproductive castes capable of flying in swarms.
—
Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 14 May 2026
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
Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 14 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for castes
Noun
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After all, how can someone who has hit 89 home runs across her college career — one short of the Bruins’ record — and helped one of softball’s most dynamic offensive teams check off a list of new NCAA and program records relate to the other sociology majors in her classes at UCLA?—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
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There’s a dedicated kitchen for cooking classes, a craft and activity room as well as a pirate ship playground outside.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
Noun
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The top 10 stocks account for about 45% of the index, far below the concentration levels seen in Taiwan and South Korea.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
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The list features 80 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 99 players and 39 coaches from lower levels.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Cruelty and ruthlessness are deemed just, not only in the highest echelons of politics but also trickling down to daily life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
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There’s often a great deal of hype (some deserved, some not) and vendor promises about transformation and new echelons of efficiency.—
Eddy Azad,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Müller joins their ranks with these affectionate images.—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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His victim, in her unassailable purity, resists him, thereby proving that the arrivistes populating the ranks of England’s most upwardly mobile class had a moral edge over the nobility.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Castes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castes. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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