as in aristocracies
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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Recent Examples of elites
For the nation’s elites, Bhattacharya found Khan symbolized something entirely different.
—
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
This has given the conflict a religious coloration, and political elites have also chosen to politicize the conflict to negotiate power and other interests, which has complicated the problem.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Pelosi must also be considered the avatar of a Democratic Party that has increasingly become the party of coastal elites and their cultural concerns, such as gay rights and environmentalism, and has less and less purchase with the heartland working-class.
—Molly Ball, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
Around the world, political newcomers have surged to power amid frustration with traditional elites.
—Jeff Harden, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025
Only Martin — cast as a Dickensian wretch by Bonitzer’s legion of myopic elites, but always quietly acting against type — reserves the right to determine his own worth.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2025
The allure is, of course, obvious — a private members’ club for creative elites with chic hotels and restaurants scattered across major international cities.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Howard-Browne has promoted conspiracy theories, including that Hollywood elites sacrifice children.
—Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Oct. 2025
That has created tension for runners who don’t qualify as elites and can’t afford bibs bundled with travel packages that cost thousands of dollars.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 26 Oct. 2025
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
This has given the conflict a religious coloration, and political elites have also chosen to politicize the conflict to negotiate power and other interests, which has complicated the problem.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Pelosi must also be considered the avatar of a Democratic Party that has increasingly become the party of coastal elites and their cultural concerns, such as gay rights and environmentalism, and has less and less purchase with the heartland working-class.
—Molly Ball, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
Around the world, political newcomers have surged to power amid frustration with traditional elites.
—Jeff Harden, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025
Only Martin — cast as a Dickensian wretch by Bonitzer’s legion of myopic elites, but always quietly acting against type — reserves the right to determine his own worth.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2025
The allure is, of course, obvious — a private members’ club for creative elites with chic hotels and restaurants scattered across major international cities.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Howard-Browne has promoted conspiracy theories, including that Hollywood elites sacrifice children.
—Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Oct. 2025
That has created tension for runners who don’t qualify as elites and can’t afford bibs bundled with travel packages that cost thousands of dollars.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elites
Noun
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Not to mention, some of the leagues' bests have graced his work, including Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
3 Nov. 2025
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The kicking game was so bad that Freeman sounded like Brian Kelly at his sarcastic best when asked about Noah Burnette, Erik Schmidt and Marcello Diomede combining to miss two extra points and one field goal.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In fact, Pittsburgh’s Black community boasted a symphony orchestra, a mandolin string quartet, an orphanage, and a long list of literary societies and fraternal organizations.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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The more fragile our societies become, the slower the transition away from fossil fuels.—
Natalie Unterstell,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Frey, a progressive Democrat, and Fateh, a socialist who has been compared to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, not only differ in their political ideologies but also in their approaches to housing and other issues.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Nov. 2025
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Mamdani’s win represents a loss for Wall Street, whose titans tried to fund his defeat and must now work with the mayor-elect.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elites. Accessed 25 Nov. 2025.
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