society

1 of 2

noun

so·ci·e·ty sə-ˈsī-ə-tē

plural societies

Synonyms of society next

: companionship or association with one's fellows : friendly or intimate intercourse : company

: a voluntary association of individuals for common ends

especially : an organized group working together or periodically meeting because of common interests, beliefs, or profession

: an enduring and cooperating social group whose members have developed organized patterns of relationships through interaction with one another

: a community, nation, or broad grouping of people having common traditions, institutions, and collective activities and interests

: a part of a community that is a unit distinguishable by particular aims or standards of living or conduct : a social circle or a group of social circles having a clearly marked identity

literary society

: a part of the community that sets itself apart as a leisure class and that regards itself as the arbiter of fashion and manners

: a natural group of plants usually of a single species or habit within an association

: the progeny of a pair of insects when constituting a social unit (such as a hive of bees)

broadly : an interdependent system of organisms or biological units

society

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or typical of fashionable society

Example Sentences

Noun Poverty hurts society as a whole. We need to do more to help the poorer members of our society. the values of Western society She was introduced to society at a formal reception. The club's members are drawn from the ranks of high society.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The same issue of apparent division applies across many areas of society, such as within the business world. —

Aaron Sherinian, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2023 In a country governed by people with mostly European ancestry, these Indigenous women were relegated to the fringes of society. —

Teo Armus, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2023 Not to mention access to the San Francisco TV market and an international reach of alumni from the most respected corners of society. —

Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2023 The tomb was found in an area adjacent to a late Bronze Age palace in Tel Megiddo, leading researchers to believe the two men were either high-ranking elite members of society or perhaps even royals. —

Ashley Strickland, CNN, 22 Feb. 2023 The middle part of society is composed of conformists, most of whom are passive but some are active. —

Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Feb. 2023 While Russia has relied on prisoners and mercenaries to do some of its dirtiest fighting, all ranks of society have been mobilized in Ukraine. —

Jeffrey Gettleman, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Feb. 2023 While Russia has relied on prisoners and mercenaries to do some of its dirtiest fighting, all ranks of society have been mobilized in Ukraine. —

Jeffrey Gettleman Ivor Prickett, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2023 These are all driven by protagonists who are either outsiders or living on the margins of society. —

Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 19 Feb. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'society.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.