charmed circle

noun

Definition of charmed circlenext
as in closed shop

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 charmed circle OkCupid has cast a charmed circle of inclusion, from which some people must still inevitably be excluded. — Zoë Hu, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2022 Their class background and experiences of poverty pushed them outside of that charmed circle of perfect victimhood. — Melissa Gira Grant, The New Republic, 10 July 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charmed circle
  1. elite
  2. in-group
  3. network
  4. fold
  5. organization
  6. clique
  7. clan
  8. college
Noun
  • Meanwhile, new Gallup research suggested the technology’s benefits have largely been concentrated among elites.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Voters should select their candidates instead of the elites who spend millions of dollars to place their preferred candidates in office.
    — Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of elite
Noun
  • Despite this, and no matter their individual circumstances or histories, the former in-group felt that they were expected to express shame over their privilege.
    — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Cultural traditions help strengthen group identities and reinforce in-group sentiments.
    — Steve S. Medeiros, The Conversation, 15 June 2026
Definition of in-group
Noun
  • Another network had received the notification by late Saturday, according to a person familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share sensitive details.
    — Miriam Waldvogel, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Tellingly, the network seemed to know the difference in its official response, acknowledging that the original piece contained errors.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of network
Noun
  • This could’ve been a story of seasoned elders welcoming a new voice into their fold.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
  • By the last full fold, the dough should be significantly smoother and tighter.
    — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of fold
Noun
  • There is a subset of incoming college first year students, men and women, who find these organizations really appealing, and some of it is entirely understandable.
    — Richard Hall, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The county’s options for the facility range from holding Discovery Place in default and taking over the nature museum to accepting Discovery Place’s terms and giving the organization decades to repay the debt, staff said.
    — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of organization
Noun
  • That is in part thanks to the opacity of AI technology but also because this clique is much smaller.
    — Seva Gunitsky, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Not enough praise can be heaped upon the excellent cast (in addition to those mentioned above, there’s the terrific Nia Otchere-Sarfo and Jordan Rice rounding out the clique).
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of clique
Noun
  • The Worth clan, especially the demure yet hungry-eyed adult daughter Penny, played by Gail Russell, nurses Quirt back to health after his opening-credits shootout with the Laredo gang — of which Quirt’s a member, looking to get out.
    — Michael Phillips, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The streamer and Shondaland announced Thursday that an untitled spinoff about the early life of the future matriarch of the Bridgerton clan is in the works.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of clan
Noun
  • Researchers at The New School reached a similar conclusion in an analysis for Fortune, based on 15 years of 529 college savings data.
    — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The study initially enrolled 53,000 varsity college athletes and service academy members; roughly one-quarter remain participants today.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of college

Browse Nearby Words

charmed
charmed circle
charmed circles
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Charmed circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charmed%20circle. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of nexus

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All