ELITES Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

elites

noun

plural of elite

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of elites Interesting, the report also suggests London is looking like a relative bargain to global elites. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 22 July 2026 Instead, future elites often improve slowly, explore diverse interests before specializing, and don't always stand out as children. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 In 2018-19, the Tavares line spent almost 600 minutes versus elites in a season Matthews missed 14 games. — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 20 July 2026 Academics tend to be self-flagellating about the status of elites in society. — Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026 When elites are weak, leaders do not need to make those concessions. — José Kaire, Fortune, 19 July 2026 When elites are strong, dictators need to accommodate them, often by repressing outsiders to shield insiders from potential challenges. — José Kaire, The Conversation, 17 July 2026 The three have pushed legislation to restrict PAC donations or gifts to Supreme Court justices, portraying it as an effort to rein in elites. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 16 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elites

Noun

His hitting metrics are all career bests, and he’s headed for his fourth consecutive season of 20-plus homers.

— Zack Meisel, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Atwell, the 26-year-old five-year veteran, has modest career bests of 67 receptions (2023), 562 yards (2024), and three touchdowns (2023).

— Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026

Definition of best

Noun

Linguistic diversity is not a good acquired at no expense to the societies that have chosen it (or been forced to choose it) over homogeneity.

— Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Storms smash into cities, disease shuts down whole societies, and millions of humans migrate across the globe.

— Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

Definition of societies

Noun

Veleria Levy, representative-elect for northeast Charlotte’s state House District 99, testified against Duke’s original proposal this spring.

— Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026
According to attorney Justin Smith, who is here today to represent mayor-elect Erickson, the board will begin the morning with ballots considered by the resolution board on Election Night.

— Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 8 July 2026

Definition of elect

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elite

elites

elitist

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“Elites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elites. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of elites

noun

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