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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The 7-footer has been great for San Antonio after signing a four-year, $41 million contract this past summer, averaging personal bests in points, rebounds, assists and blocks per game.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Cameron Boozer had 17 points and season-bests in assists with nine and steals with four for Duke (13-1, 2-0).—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Parallel societies in certain urban areas and rising violent crime statistics linked to some migrant cohorts in countries such as Sweden and Germany led to the dramatic rise of populist and patriotic parties across the continent, from France to Italy to the Netherlands.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Freedom from fear mattered because frightened societies are easily manipulated.—
Philip Martin,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The representative-elect emigrated from Carolina, Puerto Rico to New Britain in 1994, settling in a House district that now is 56% Latino.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
8 Jan. 2026
-
New York’s mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, plans to absorb individual costs into the collective life of the city, but whether that will be enough is an open question.—
Susan Tallman,
The New York Review of Books,
3 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elites. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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