as in literati
intellectuals considered as a social class
a presidential candidate who was the darling of the intelligentsia—and very few others
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Recent Examples of intelligentsia
This connects to how the intelligentsia used to say AI art could never replace human art.
—
James Barrat, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
All or nothing For most of the Russian nationalist intelligentsia, Alaska is less a jewel to be recovered than a warning against any concession to the West.
—Dan Morrison, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
Dipping Toes in Populist Waters Mr. Hawley belongs to a conservative intelligentsia that includes Oren Cass, the influential founder and chief economist of the think tank American Compass.
—Robert Draper, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
The Russian intelligentsia had once admired Ukraine, seeing in it the birthplace of the Muscovite dynasty and Orthodoxy.
—James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intelligentsia
James Barrat, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
All or nothing For most of the Russian nationalist intelligentsia, Alaska is less a jewel to be recovered than a warning against any concession to the West.
—Dan Morrison, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
Dipping Toes in Populist Waters Mr. Hawley belongs to a conservative intelligentsia that includes Oren Cass, the influential founder and chief economist of the think tank American Compass.
—Robert Draper, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
The Russian intelligentsia had once admired Ukraine, seeing in it the birthplace of the Muscovite dynasty and Orthodoxy.
—James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intelligentsia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intelligentsia
Noun
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But since then Boston has loaded up, with Garrett Crochet, Ranger Suarez, Sonny Gray and Bello expected to lead a staff that could rank among the game’s elite.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
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Sayler noted that Steele has spoke about Miami becoming similar to Gonzaga, a mid-major program that is now among the nation’s elite.—
Tim Casey,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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They are ruled by a grizzled and sclerotic clerisy that funnels resources to its private army, the terrorist Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).—
Matthew Continetti,
National Review,
24 Sep. 2022
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Democrats and the public-health clerisy denounced President Trump for rushing Covid vaccines.—
Allysia Finley,
WSJ,
4 Sep. 2022
Noun
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Blake Waddell was named the high school principal-elect of Lakeland Preparatory School.—
Brooke Muckerman,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
16 Jan. 2026
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He’s been nominated by the governor-elect of New Jersey to serve as the state’s next Department of Health commissioner, the county’s statement said.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intelligentsia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intelligentsia. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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