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 Viennese set designer Oskar Strnad saw traditional theaters as agents of social stratification with the imperial box in the center, the bourgeoisie in the parquet, and the hoi polloi in the nosebleed balcony. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026

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