elite 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of elitenext
as in exclusive

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elite

2 of 2

noun

i-ˈlēt How to pronounce elite (audio)
1
as in aristocracy
individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class the winners of this science award represent the elite of our high schools

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nobility
the highest class in a society the country's elite owned or controlled most of the wealth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 elite
Adjective
If one betrays secrets for money, their sale reveals that people within elite institutions are out for themselves, looking to profit from insider positions. — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 When the focus shifts to career outcomes rather than reputation alone, many elite institutions still perform extremely well. — Jason St. Angelo, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Noun
The chances of Aschenbrenner being one of the wealthy elites who could afford to buy a galaxy, however, are now looking as remote as the possibility that humankind could ever conquer one within his lifetime. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026 But talking about corruption in a moral or systemic sense – observing that the country is in decline, or that elites are out of touch – can be effective. — Robert Boatright, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elite
  1. exclusive
  2. aristocracy
  3. nobility
  4. special
  5. best
  6. gentry
  7. better
  8. top
Adjective
  • FanDuel is the exclusive sports betting partner of The Ringer.
    — Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Check out the exclusive trailer for The Pervert’s Guide to Utopias below.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of exclusive
Noun
  • Just a few days earlier at Palazzo Brancaccio, the ladies of the Roman aristocracy had vied to appear in the ballroom scenes, perhaps hoping to meet Gregory Peck.
    — Daria Egidi, Vanity Fair, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Upon his arrival in London, Mai became something of a celebrity among the aristocracy, and was welcomed by King George III.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of aristocracy
Noun
  • He was branded a heretic, in part for preaching that the nobility were immoral and so was nobility itself.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Originally published in Esquire magazine, this group portrait of jazz nobility was photographed at 17 East 126th Street in New York City.
    — David Morgan, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of nobility
Adjective
  • At a special fair contest, Iowa pie bakers gave the Pie Lady Louise Piper a fitting farewell.
    — Courtney Crowder, Des Moines Register, 28 Aug. 2026
  • If your stay involves a special occasion, the Teppanyaki show-cooking experience makes for an unforgettable celebration.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of special
Noun
  • Benton had career bests in tackles (51), tackles for loss (6) and sacks (5 1/2) while helping the Steelers to the AFC North title.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • With the three-row Kia Sorento, the Hyundai Palisade retains the South Korean brands’ 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, both segment and industry bests.
    — James Raia, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of best
Noun
  • 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
  • Grammer will play Lord Fairfax, the unofficial leader of the Virginia gentry who has a complicated relationship to young George Washington as both his crucial mentor and as the father of his romantic rival.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Definition of gentry
Adjective
  • Without better reporting, lawmakers and analysts will have to act with incomplete knowledge, essentially guessing effective tax rates based on limited and sometimes misleading reporting.
    — Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • By better understanding how the AAC organizes vocal output in budgerigars, researchers hope to gain new insights into human speech disorders, such as aphasia and Parkinson’s disease, which can impair a person’s ability to produce language.
    — Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of better
Noun
  • While dark-wash jeans, trench coats, and sweaters may be top of mind, don’t forget your footwear.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Here’s a snapshot of those findings (not in chronological order, because AI’s top of mind these days; plus, my colleague made a cool interactive graphic for you).
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of top

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elisions
elite
elites
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on elite

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elite

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