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

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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
In 2007, Assaf Rappaport was 24 years old and working inside Unit 81, an elite technology division of the Israeli Defense Forces that builds hardware and surveillance tools. — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026 With rain forecasted to soften conditions even further, expect a birdie-fest where elite driving and dialed-in iron play will determine the winner. — Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
Tension around the role of religion in these schools was matched by a clash between the Japanese community and the white business and political elite in Hawaii. — H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 21 Aug. 2026 From Saint Laurent to Zara, luxury houses and affordable retailers alike have released their own take on performance outerwear as the gorpcore trend continues its chokehold on the fashion elite. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 20 Aug. 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
  • Beyond sitting on some of the most valuable land in South Florida, Indian Creek Country Club is also among the region’s most exclusive clubs.
    — Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
  • La Cava, the private wine cellar and private dining event space, offers curated wine tastings and more for exclusive gatherings.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of exclusive
Noun
  • 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
  • Upon his arrival in London, Mai became something of a celebrity among the aristocracy, and was welcomed by King George III.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of aristocracy
Noun
  • Originally published in Esquire magazine, this group portrait of jazz nobility was photographed at 17 East 126th Street in New York City.
    — David Morgan, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The idea is to portray them with the same nobility and dignity as the figures of the great masters.
    — Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of nobility
Adjective
  • And besides that, everybody else benefits from being able to enjoy their special gifts.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • And a hometown getting to be part of something really special.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Aug. 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
  • Without better reporting, lawmakers and analysts will have to act with incomplete knowledge, essentially guessing effective tax rates based on limited and sometimes misleading reporting.
    — Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • 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
  • Westman Atelier has achieved a lot on its own, rising to the top of the ranks in complexion and lip.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • He was only getting started, but people could already see the natural ability that the youngster believed would one day take him to the top.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of top

Browse Nearby Words

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 26 Aug. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elite

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