as in aristocracy
the highest class in a society
the patriciate regarded patronage of the arts as a moral and social duty
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patriciate
Noun
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Film clips play silently in windows throughout the room, and even without words guests can sense the tension between old aristocracy and the rising influence of the merchant class.—
Jane Wooldridge,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026 -
But the Westeros aristocracy likely won’t see Baelor as disposable.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The most recent season featured Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) falling for maid and illegitimate child of nobility Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) over the course of eight very Cinderella-esque episodes.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
27 Feb. 2026
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Being a parent, Johnson insisted, isn’t about nobility or beauty, pride or pleasure.—
Daniel Smith,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The nobles and gentry—the billionaires of Tudor England—made fortunes from the reclaimed monastery lands and created a myth of Henry’s military strength and English pride.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Oct. 2025
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Parker will play Mary Washington, George’s strong willed mother, while Rodgers will play Sally Cary, the charming beauty of the Virginia gentry who first sees his potential.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Patriciate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patriciate. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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