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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nobility
the highest class in a society
the country's elite owned or controlled most of the wealth
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in exclusive
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of elite
Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Trevor Lawrence will have added pressure to get back to elite status as far as quarterbacking is concerned.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The Skyscraper Revolution Is Quietly Underway Skyscrapers have long been reserved for the elite, a realm where ownership required immense capital, institutional leverage and insider access.
—Charles Morey, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elite
Noun
As an elite-level talent just entering his prime, Parsons is going to be a force in the league for years to come.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Trevor Lawrence will have added pressure to get back to elite status as far as quarterbacking is concerned.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
For years, Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island has served as a luxurious getaway for the elite, including Barack and Michelle Obama, Princess Diana, Robert De Niro, Kate Winslet, Kevin Costner and more.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The Skyscraper Revolution Is Quietly Underway Skyscrapers have long been reserved for the elite, a realm where ownership required immense capital, institutional leverage and insider access.
—Charles Morey, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elite
Noun
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Its classification as a field of scientific study attracted members of the aristocracy towards it.—
Taylor Crumpton,
Time,
2 Sep. 2025
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A number of famous Americans could claim a link to British aristocracy, per the MyHeritage list.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Sitting for a portrait was once reserved for the elite, with kings, queens, and nobility commissioning grand works to immortalize themselves and assert their authority.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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And sure, there’s nobility in that.—
Kevin Sintumuang,
Outside,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In behind-the-scenes photos exclusive to PEOPLE, Rosalía flaunts her figure and her long, flowing brunette hair while modeling.—
Hedy Phillips,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
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Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The first-time All-Star would have career bests in ERA, WHIP (0.97) and ERA+ (131) if the season ended today.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
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Two editors selected it as the overall best.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Adjective
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The oxygen and nitrogen molecules also emit ultraviolet light, which can only be detected by special cameras on satellites.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Adding just a few scalloped items can transform an everyday setting into something special and inviting.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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One is the continued dominance of Argentina, 10 points clear at the top with one round of matches remaining.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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An adjustable buckle across the top keeps them in place, and their closed-toe design helps keep feet warm as temperatures get colder.—
Melody Kazel,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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With Hunter playing both sides of the ball, expect his presence to give Thomas better opportunities without the risk of Hunter emerging as the new WR1.—
Steve Bradshaw,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Elite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elite. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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