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
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Recent Examples of hoi polloi
Because Tesla owners are always telling me how the EV hoi polloi (non-Tesla world) are tethered to an inferior public charging network.
—
Brooke Crothers, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
Dog breeding began in order to segregate what were seen as the best exemplars of the species from the canid hoi polloi.
—Alexandra Horowitz, The New Yorker, 24 June 2024
Several public boat ramps scattered around the lake give the hoi polloi access.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2024
Food for the hoi polloi is more appropriately priced.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for hoi polloi
Brooke Crothers, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
Dog breeding began in order to segregate what were seen as the best exemplars of the species from the canid hoi polloi.
—Alexandra Horowitz, The New Yorker, 24 June 2024
Several public boat ramps scattered around the lake give the hoi polloi access.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2024
Food for the hoi polloi is more appropriately priced.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for hoi polloi
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoi polloi
people
Plural Noun
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Using all four pieces, people were able to pack for two on a seven-day Alaska cruise, and for one on a seven-week adventure.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Jan. 2026
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Since the Westminster Mall’s more than 40 interior shops closed in late October, the Westminster Police Department has received more than 400 calls about trespassing, vandalism and other illicit activity, with 54 people being arrested on the property now in a holding pattern awaiting redevelopment.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hoi polloi.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoi%20polloi. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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