elite 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of elitenext
as in exclusive

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elite

2 of 2

noun

i-ˈlēt How to pronounce elite (audio)
1
as in aristocracy
individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class the winners of this science award represent the elite of our high schools

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nobility
the highest class in a society the country's elite owned or controlled most of the wealth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 elite
Adjective
If one betrays secrets for money, their sale reveals that people within elite institutions are out for themselves, looking to profit from insider positions. — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 When the focus shifts to career outcomes rather than reputation alone, many elite institutions still perform extremely well. — Jason St. Angelo, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Noun
Most of the Tier 1 quarterbacks — except for one — played at or above the level expected of the nation’s elite. — Antonio Morales, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026 Yet, working people continue to show up every day, do more with less, and play by the rules, while wealthy elites in power enjoy record tax breaks, set policies that put profits ahead of people, and attack workers’ rights. — Mario Cilento, New York Daily News, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elite
  1. exclusive
  2. aristocracy
  3. nobility
  4. special
  5. best
  6. gentry
  7. better
  8. top
Adjective
  • FanDuel is the exclusive sports betting partner of The Ringer.
    — Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Check out the exclusive trailer for The Pervert’s Guide to Utopias below.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of exclusive
Noun
  • After this, there will be a lot of going back and forth across the Channel; crimes of the aristocracy; Darnay’s own Big Secret revealed; more trials, more imprisonments.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Just a few days earlier at Palazzo Brancaccio, the ladies of the Roman aristocracy had vied to appear in the ballroom scenes, perhaps hoping to meet Gregory Peck.
    — Daria Egidi, Vanity Fair, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of aristocracy
Noun
  • There’s a nobility in providing some fan service to help immerse Oasis devotees who could not afford the outrageous ticket prices to attend the tour.
    — Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Working as a portraitist, she was commissioned by university scholars and local nobility in Bologna, the Italian city where she was born.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of nobility
Adjective
  • An 85-yard punt return for a touchdown late in the third quarter gave Oregon a 27-20 lead, and after Boise State battled back to go ahead 34-27, the Broncos’ special teams unit gave up a game-tying 100-yard kickoff return.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 4 Sep. 2026
  • On the other hand, Sanders and the Buffaloes will need to work on special teams despite Carter’s brilliant rush off the edge during that field goal block.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of special
Noun
  • Benton had career bests in tackles (51), tackles for loss (6) and sacks (5 1/2) while helping the Steelers to the AFC North title.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • With the three-row Kia Sorento, the Hyundai Palisade retains the South Korean brands’ 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, both segment and industry bests.
    — James Raia, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of best
Noun
  • Parker will play Mary Washington, George’s strong willed mother, while Rodgers will play Sally Cary, the charming beauty of the Virginia gentry who first sees his potential.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Grammer will play Lord Fairfax, the unofficial leader of the Virginia gentry who has a complicated relationship to young George Washington as both his crucial mentor and as the father of his romantic rival.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Definition of gentry
Adjective
  • Which is why better hiring begins with three ways of protecting ourselves against both.
    — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • By better understanding how the AAC organizes vocal output in budgerigars, researchers hope to gain new insights into human speech disorders, such as aphasia and Parkinson’s disease, which can impair a person’s ability to produce language.
    — Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of better
Noun
  • While dark-wash jeans, trench coats, and sweaters may be top of mind, don’t forget your footwear.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Here’s a snapshot of those findings (not in chronological order, because AI’s top of mind these days; plus, my colleague made a cool interactive graphic for you).
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of top

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elisions
elite
elites
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Cite this Entry

“Elite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elite. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on elite

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elite

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