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
Ideology and hypocrisy Sabti says the credibility of the system is also undermined by the behavior of Iran’s own elites.
—
Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Bannon has used the term globalists to refer to Silicon Valley elites, media executives, neoconservative foreign-policy hawks, proponents of lightly regulated global markets, and Jared Kushner.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
The last one occurred in 1989 after the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and involved intense negotiations among clerical and political elites before Khamenei ultimately emerged as the compromise choice.
—Imtiaz Tyab, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
In the final season of Handmaid’s Tale, Lydia grew increasingly disillusioned by the hypocrisy of the ruling elites, and she was finally forced to accept the horrific reality of her role in Gilead.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026
That’s how the elites in Industry, like the ones in the real world, can treat people like playthings.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2026
And elites were as likely to fly to the Emirates for financing as to New York or Shanghai.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Critics argue that state institutions have been slow to dismantle the networks and that political elites benefit directly or indirectly from their persistence.
—Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 4 Mar. 2026
Persian Americans got a reputation for being wealthy because some of those who arrived were doctors, lawyers and other elites with money.
—Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Bannon has used the term globalists to refer to Silicon Valley elites, media executives, neoconservative foreign-policy hawks, proponents of lightly regulated global markets, and Jared Kushner.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
The last one occurred in 1989 after the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and involved intense negotiations among clerical and political elites before Khamenei ultimately emerged as the compromise choice.
—Imtiaz Tyab, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
In the final season of Handmaid’s Tale, Lydia grew increasingly disillusioned by the hypocrisy of the ruling elites, and she was finally forced to accept the horrific reality of her role in Gilead.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026
That’s how the elites in Industry, like the ones in the real world, can treat people like playthings.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2026
And elites were as likely to fly to the Emirates for financing as to New York or Shanghai.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Critics argue that state institutions have been slow to dismantle the networks and that political elites benefit directly or indirectly from their persistence.
—Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 4 Mar. 2026
Persian Americans got a reputation for being wealthy because some of those who arrived were doctors, lawyers and other elites with money.
—Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elites
Noun
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Nahshon Wright, Chicago Wright, 27, is a five-year veteran who made the Pro Bowl last season after having career bests in starts (16), interceptions (five, one returned for a touchdown), passes defended (11) and tackles (80).—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
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Foegele, 29, had the best season of his career in his first year as a King, with personal bests in goals, assists, points and plus-minus rating.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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When societies lose their grounding — in human dignity, and the belief that justice is not merely the will of the powerful — Jews are among the first to suffer.—
Calev Myers,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
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Why are smart girls considered a threat in some societies?—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Under the bill, the Indiana Department of Correction will provide training to all sheriffs-elect on how to cooperate with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
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Chile's President-elect Jose Antonio Kast speaks to journalists after meeting with the Italian Prime Minister at Palazzo Chigi in Rome on Febuary 5, 2026.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elites. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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