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
Once, Russian elites considered turning East with great caution, preferring Europe for education, investment, vacations, and more.
—
Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Soon, film stars and Hollywood elites began making the trek from Los Angeles, with Greta Garbo leading the way.
—Jenny Peters, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
The sale is also notable given Hawaii's broader history of land purchases by Silicon Valley elites.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
The rise of these trenchocrats has created another layer of anxiety for Russia’s existing elites.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2025
Aristocracy, the rule of elites relevant in his day—when less than five percent of the population could vote for Members of Parliament—was obviously antithetical to democracy.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 7 Sep. 2025
But Trump’s attendance at the marquee event contrasts with the usual guest list of the popular New York tournament, which this year has seen an overwhelming majority of Hollywood elites flock to the stands.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Shrewd dealmaker Anutin has been a mainstay in Thai politics throughout years of turmoil, positioning his Bhumjaithai party strategically between warring elites embroiled in an intractable power struggle and guaranteeing its place in a succession of coalition governments.
—Panarat Thepgumpanat, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Human Rights Watch researcher Andreas Harsono told CNN that Prabowo remains popular amongst his most fervent supporters and backers from the military and business elites.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Soon, film stars and Hollywood elites began making the trek from Los Angeles, with Greta Garbo leading the way.
—Jenny Peters, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
The sale is also notable given Hawaii's broader history of land purchases by Silicon Valley elites.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
The rise of these trenchocrats has created another layer of anxiety for Russia’s existing elites.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2025
Aristocracy, the rule of elites relevant in his day—when less than five percent of the population could vote for Members of Parliament—was obviously antithetical to democracy.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 7 Sep. 2025
But Trump’s attendance at the marquee event contrasts with the usual guest list of the popular New York tournament, which this year has seen an overwhelming majority of Hollywood elites flock to the stands.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Shrewd dealmaker Anutin has been a mainstay in Thai politics throughout years of turmoil, positioning his Bhumjaithai party strategically between warring elites embroiled in an intractable power struggle and guaranteeing its place in a succession of coalition governments.
—Panarat Thepgumpanat, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Human Rights Watch researcher Andreas Harsono told CNN that Prabowo remains popular amongst his most fervent supporters and backers from the military and business elites.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elites
Noun
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The first-time All-Star would have career bests in ERA, WHIP (0.97) and ERA+ (131) if the season ended today.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
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Two editors selected it as the overall best.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Our conversation revealed how commercial space, AI, and medicine are converging in ways that will open entirely new opportunities for businesses and societies.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Each of these commitments comes nestled in a bramble of thorny questions that societies have been debating for the last, let’s round it off at, 250 years.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Representative-elect James Walkinshaw speaks to reporters in Fairfax, Virginia on September 5, 2025.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
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These Democrats headed for Omaha after Mayoral-elect John Ewing (D-NE) beat Jean Stothert, the longest serving incumbent mayor in the country.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elites. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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