Synonyms of elect

elect 1 of 3

verb

as in to choose

to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities

I've elected to study French as my foreign language

Synonyms & Similar Words

• choose
• select
• pick
• take
• prefer
• designate
• name
• nominate
• single (out)
• cull
• handpick
• opt (for)
• appoint
• tag
• cherry-pick
• accept
• adopt
• preselect
• tap
• embrace
• espouse
• set
• tab
• mark
• settle (on or upon)
• fix

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuse
• reject
• decline
• turn down
• repudiate
• disapprove
• negative
• discard
• spurn
• throw away
• throw out
• jettison

elect

2 of 3

adjective

i-ˈlekt 

as in select

singled out from a number or group as more to one's liking

this elect body of students represents the best that the nation's high schools have to offer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• select
• selected
• preferred
• favorite
• chosen
• favored
• picked
• handpicked
• choice
• of choice
• first-line
• cherry-picked
• fashionable
• exclusive
• screened
• culled
• weeded (out)
• picked over
• winnowed (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ordinary
• average
• common
• commonplace
• run-of-the-mill

elect

3 of 3

noun

as in best

individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class

the members of this all-American team are the elect of collegiate football

Synonyms & Similar Words

• best
• aristocracy
• elite
• priesthood
• choice
• society
• top
• pick
• upper crust
• flower
• prime
• cream of the crop
• royalty
• cream
• Hall of Fame
• A-list
• crème de la crème
• pride
• fat
• pink
• corps d'elite
• illuminati
• establishment
• upper class
• nobility
• quality
• top drawer
• gentry
• caviar
• who's who

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• masses
• millions
• multitude
• herd
• mob
• commoners
• rank and file
• unwashed
• hoi polloi

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of elect

Verb

In New Jersey, a governor can't fire the lieutenant governor because the post is independently elected. — Mike Catalini, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026

They were elected together and took office in January, but within four months, Caldwell had become the subject of an anonymous complaint about his behavior with women. — Mike Catalini, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Adjective

The National Rifle Association’s board of directors voted Monday to re-elect longtime CEO Wayne LaPierre, signaling that the gun rights group isn’t changing direction despite a rise in mass shootings and its own internal turmoil. — David Ingram, NBC News, 30 May 2022

The illusion of complete normality could prompt people to spend more and re-elect current politicians for office. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 9 Apr. 2022

Noun

According to attorney Justin Smith, who is here today to represent mayor-elect Erickson, the board will begin the morning with ballots considered by the resolution board on Election Night. — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 8 July 2026

But his situation is actually fairly complicated, in part because of how the Hall of Fame elects candidates. — James Mirtle, New York Times, 17 June 2026