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
In the west of Britain, fragments of red slip ware (distinctive Byzantium amphora vessels or pottery) have been found at sites associated with elites, like Tintagel in northern Cornwall.
—
Duncan Sayer, JSTOR Daily, 2 Oct. 2025
Laws are not meant to be twisted and curated by privileged elites to fit their own personal agenda.
—Jen Juneau, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
His daughters, along with local elites, continue to host this festival every year.
—Karla Gachet, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
Wealthy elites must back entrepreneurs, not offshore accounts.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
But the immediacy of One Battle After Another—with its ICE-like detention camps, unlawful militias storming American streets, and elites who promote white supremacy in closed-door meetings—was intended to embellish the spirit of Vineland rather than undermine it.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
These upper-crust elites are ones we’re meant, at the end of the day, to sympathize with and root for.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
During colonial rule, Denmark discouraged the use of the Greenlandic language, as did some Greenlandic elites.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Initially targeting affluent travelers, Hollywood stars and business elites, the hotel now attracts a diverse clientele, including history enthusiasts, tourists and business travelers.
—Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Duncan Sayer, JSTOR Daily, 2 Oct. 2025
Laws are not meant to be twisted and curated by privileged elites to fit their own personal agenda.
—Jen Juneau, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
His daughters, along with local elites, continue to host this festival every year.
—Karla Gachet, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
Wealthy elites must back entrepreneurs, not offshore accounts.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
But the immediacy of One Battle After Another—with its ICE-like detention camps, unlawful militias storming American streets, and elites who promote white supremacy in closed-door meetings—was intended to embellish the spirit of Vineland rather than undermine it.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
These upper-crust elites are ones we’re meant, at the end of the day, to sympathize with and root for.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
During colonial rule, Denmark discouraged the use of the Greenlandic language, as did some Greenlandic elites.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Initially targeting affluent travelers, Hollywood stars and business elites, the hotel now attracts a diverse clientele, including history enthusiasts, tourists and business travelers.
—Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elites
Noun
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Likely had a breakout season last year, totaling 42 catches, 477 yards and six touchdowns — all career bests.—
Hunter Simpson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
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Course Difficulty Flat, straight courses without many hills favor personal bests.—
Christopher Bergland,
Verywell Health,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In the mid-twentieth century, Canavan writes, American science fiction often depicted societies ruled by computers as an analog for Soviet communism.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
29 Sep. 2025
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In that vision of a distant, distant future, there is no public sector or state in those societies.—
Nic Juarez,
Vulture,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Here's what to know about Adelita Grijalva, the representative-elect from Arizona's 7th Congressional District.—
Laura Gersony,
AZCentral.com,
25 Sep. 2025
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Democratic Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva is on track to outperform former Vice President Kamala Harris by double digits in the special election to replace her late father, former Representative Raul Grijalva.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elites. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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