as in aristocracies
individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class
the winners of this science award represent the elite of our high schools
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Recent Examples of elites
Aristocracy, the rule of elites relevant in his day—when less than five percent of the population could vote for Members of Parliament—was obviously antithetical to democracy.
—
Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 7 Sep. 2025
But Trump’s attendance at the marquee event contrasts with the usual guest list of the popular New York tournament, which this year has seen an overwhelming majority of Hollywood elites flock to the stands.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Shrewd dealmaker Anutin has been a mainstay in Thai politics throughout years of turmoil, positioning his Bhumjaithai party strategically between warring elites embroiled in an intractable power struggle and guaranteeing its place in a succession of coalition governments.
—Panarat Thepgumpanat, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Jeffrey Epstein's cabal of politicians, bureaucrats, and elites who turned a blind eye must be held accountable.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Human Rights Watch researcher Andreas Harsono told CNN that Prabowo remains popular amongst his most fervent supporters and backers from the military and business elites.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
Political elites have been waiting for an opportunity to redraw California’s Congressional Districts to increase power for years.
—Suzette Valladares, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2025
It has been tagged as a giveaway to rich elites, and the administration is tapping a vice president who grew up poor in Middletown to turn public perception.
—Francesca Chambers, The Enquirer, 30 Aug. 2025
These 25 public schools, eight in California, give the private elites a run for their money.
—Fiona Riley, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 7 Sep. 2025
But Trump’s attendance at the marquee event contrasts with the usual guest list of the popular New York tournament, which this year has seen an overwhelming majority of Hollywood elites flock to the stands.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Shrewd dealmaker Anutin has been a mainstay in Thai politics throughout years of turmoil, positioning his Bhumjaithai party strategically between warring elites embroiled in an intractable power struggle and guaranteeing its place in a succession of coalition governments.
—Panarat Thepgumpanat, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Jeffrey Epstein's cabal of politicians, bureaucrats, and elites who turned a blind eye must be held accountable.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Human Rights Watch researcher Andreas Harsono told CNN that Prabowo remains popular amongst his most fervent supporters and backers from the military and business elites.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
Political elites have been waiting for an opportunity to redraw California’s Congressional Districts to increase power for years.
—Suzette Valladares, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2025
It has been tagged as a giveaway to rich elites, and the administration is tapping a vice president who grew up poor in Middletown to turn public perception.
—Francesca Chambers, The Enquirer, 30 Aug. 2025
These 25 public schools, eight in California, give the private elites a run for their money.
—Fiona Riley, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elites
Noun
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The first-time All-Star would have career bests in ERA, WHIP (0.97) and ERA+ (131) if the season ended today.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
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Two editors selected it as the overall best.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Our conversation revealed how commercial space, AI, and medicine are converging in ways that will open entirely new opportunities for businesses and societies.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Each of these commitments comes nestled in a bramble of thorny questions that societies have been debating for the last, let’s round it off at, 250 years.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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These Democrats headed for Omaha after Mayoral-elect John Ewing (D-NE) beat Jean Stothert, the longest serving incumbent mayor in the country.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Aug. 2025
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Kuecher said the mobile home park’s motion was against the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act, which says that if a park owner elects to cease the operation of either all or a portion of the mobile home park, the tenants shall be entitled to at least 12-months’ notice.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elites. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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