caste

noun

ˈkast How to pronounce caste (audio)
Definition of castenext
as in class
one of the segments of society into which people are grouped a member of the upper caste

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of caste Panchali is not without her flaws and rejects a worthy suitor simply because of the caste he was born into. — Literary Hub, 17 July 2026 Leela is a Dalit, the lowest rung of Indian society, yet the man who could have made things right and promoted Leela to her rightful place in the company is Krish (Kapil Talwalkar), who sits upon the highest caste as a Brahmin. — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 17 July 2026 To that point, human history was a tale of conquest and caste and rigid hierarchies, a world where the strong dominated the weak, where power and wealth and status flowed through lineage and the many were ruled by the few. — Hilary Gowins, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026 To that point, human history was a tale of conquest and caste and rigid hierarchies. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for caste
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caste
  1. class
  2. level
Noun
  • Figuratively speaking, by this point, this class has been bloodied in battle and have gotten to know each other.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Because that 2022 draft class is out the door — nine of its 10 members, anyway.
    — Sam McDowell August 29, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of class
Noun
  • Maintaining an even level of soil moisture as the seeds are germinating is also a key component to overseeding success.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Conklin will not play in Saturday’s contest against FCS-level Mississippi Valley State at Hornet Stadium.
    — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of level

Browse Nearby Words

cast down
caste
castes
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Caste.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caste. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on caste

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about caste

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All