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
Cunningham is elite, Miller looks to lead a hungry Hornets team. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026 Me+Em joins brands including Burberry, Savile Row tailor Gieves & Hawkes and accessories maker Anya Hindmarch on the elite list of Royal Warrant holders. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026
Noun
Whatever reserves do exist would eventually run out, with members of the elite likely being prioritized. — Joel Wuthnow, Foreign Affairs, 2 Nov. 2026 Fan favorite Jack Trotter (Ahlers) is adjusting to life among Manhattan’s elite after selling his clock invention. — Paul Chi, Vogue, 1 Nov. 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
  • The Associated Press was granted exclusive access to the drone earlier this month, ahead of the final stage of testing.
    — DEREK GATOPOULOS, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
  • In the exclusive first-look clip above, O’Connor artfully grapples with his longing to return to music, hugging a past version of himself playing the violin as his face bleeds from a boxing injury.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of exclusive
Noun
  • There’s a luminous series of royal blue engravings presented with ornate flourishes, recalling styles favored by the French aristocracy.
    — Elisa Turner, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Antón Martín neighborhood, Golden Mile Apartment Madrid’s Salamanca district, where this home is located, was designed in the 19th century as a residential area for aristocracy and the like.
    — Katie Silcox, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of aristocracy
Noun
  • Legal recognition of the country’s nobility stopped in 1946 and for aristocrats such as Princess Giacinta Ruspoli, upkeep of the family’s ancestral homes doesn’t come cheap.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Thomas Jefferson is believed to have loved these wines and today they are enjoyed by Italian nobility and discerning wine lovers the world over.
    — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of nobility
Adjective
  • For something a bit more special, the hotel can arrange a sailing trip with a menu from the Janeiro Restaurant.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Grammy Award-winning artist Brandy, Emmy Award-winning writer-producer-actor Lena Waithe and Allen Media Group founder Byron Allen are three of the six special honorees who will be celebrated during the 2026 Ebony Power 100 Gala.
    — Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of special
Noun
  • Lamb had 189 yards receiving on career bests of 21 targets and 17 catches.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Pugh’s performance is a master class in physicality and flair, one of her career bests.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of best
Noun
  • When it was closed down in 1539, its treasures, books and relics were seized and its lands and buildings sold off, some to local nobles and gentry, some to the town authorities of Bury.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • 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
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
  • With its tender texture, it can be used as a base for salads, added to pasta, sprinkled over top of a pizza, or turned into pesto.
    — Molly Allen, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The black-and-white palette is easy to match with fall tops, including sweaters and T-shirts.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 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 4 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elite

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