elite 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of elitenext
as in exclusive

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Dissimilar Words

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
Elle Fanning has joined an elite group of actors to earn an Oscar and Emmy nomination in the same year. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 8 July 2026 In the former coach’s way of thinking, Newton played at an elite level from 2011-17. — Scott Fowler july 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026
Noun
Of course, flying on private aircraft and having cold hotel rooms will cause one’s carbon footprint to be a bit higher than that of the average American worker, but Sanders is part of the ruling elite, so certain concessions have to be made. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 9 July 2026 Young people want to pursue jobs that will catapult them into the elite—which today means that people coming of age want to be influencers. — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 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
  • Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.
    — Saba Hamedy, NBC news, 9 July 2026
  • Subscribe here to our newsletter, In Review by David Ehrlich, in which our Chief Film Critic and Head Reviews Editor rounds up the best new reviews and streaming picks along with some exclusive musings — all only available to subscribers.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 July 2026
Definition of exclusive
Noun
  • Orangeries, once a status symbol for European aristocracy, are a glamorous accoutrement in large town or country houses.
    — Zoë Dare Hall, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • At last, Jones also thought, there was a chance to spotlight the dynamic between North Wales‘ working-class community and its aristocracy on the big screen, a corner of Britain’s social history that has long been sidelined.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026
Definition of aristocracy
Noun
  • Gustaf Lagerbielke, a 26-year-old center back, comes from a line of nobility, particularly Counts, in his home country.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • This piece of jewelry, worn by Princess Elisabeth, was a wedding gift from the Belgian nobility to Mathilde on the occasion of her wedding in 1999.
    — Marta Martínez Tato, Vanity Fair, 24 June 2026
Definition of nobility
Adjective
  • The project won a special award at Moscow's Archimedes innovation exhibition this year.
    — Fatima Faizi, NPR, 10 July 2026
  • Sunny hikes call for special clothing that keeps harsh UV rays off your skin.
    — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026
Definition of special
Noun
  • Atwell, the 26-year-old five-year veteran, has modest career bests of 67 receptions (2023), 562 yards (2024), and three touchdowns (2023).
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026
  • Mahrez is retiring from international soccer as a five-time Premier League winner and one of Africa's bests.
    — Juliana Kim, NPR, 6 July 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
  • The Angels then chased Eovaldi when Logan O’Hoppe walked and Wade Meckler singled, driving in a run as the top of the order came to the plate.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 10 July 2026
  • The canoe dug into the top of my spine, biting harder every step.
    — John Todd, Outdoor Life, 9 July 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 15 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on elite

Nglish: Translation of elite for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elite

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