Synonyms of hoi polloi

hoi polloi

plural noun

ˌhȯi-pə-ˈlȯi 

as in public

the body of the community as contrasted with the elite

"I pay no attention to the opinions of the hoi polloi," the writer sniffed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• public
• populace
• people
• crowd
• mass
• rank and file
• millions
• mob
• commons
• commoners
• multitude
• plebeians
• herd
• plebs
• cattle
• rabblement
• middle class
• tag, rag, and bobtail
• ragtag and bobtail
• proletariat
• rout
• rabble
• scum
• unwashed
• bourgeoisie
• trash
• riffraff

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• upper crust
• cream
• choice
• flower
• elect
• elite
• pink
• fat
• pride
• aristocracy
• pick
• A-list
• best
• corps d'elite
• society
• quality
• royalty
• nobility
• haute monde
• gentry
• peerage
• gentility
• patriciate
• gentlefolk

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hoi polloi

The whitewashed building’s accessible only by a five-minute speedboat ride or helicopter, keeping the hoi polloi at bay; the skipper and boat come bundled for your use during your stay, as does a hostess and cook. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 23 July 2026

Now, many pessimists would say that just based on interviewing the person on the street, there’s not a big appetite for this kind of transformation among the hoi polloi. — John Werner, Forbes.com, 25 Feb. 2026

Next up is none other than The U, yet another member of the college football hoi polloi, in a championship game that might require organ donation to get a ticket. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026

Colbert has sober Catholic suits and an in-studio audience of the local hoi polloi. — Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 15 July 2025