as in classes
one of the segments of society into which people are grouped
a member of the upper caste
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Recent Examples of castes
Subterranean, drywood and dampwood, the three most common types of termites in the United States, all have reproductive castes capable of flying in swarms.
—
Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Today, many non-Hindus in India, including Muslims, Christians, Jains and Buddhists, also identify with certain castes.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
The term was then extended to include multiple groups outside the upper castes.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
So, there’s no political parties, there’s no races, and there’s no religions, but there are these two groups that are almost like castes.
—Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025
The Ramayana has hundreds of versions — across states, dialects, castes.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
India’s privileged castes hold a disproportionate share of its wealth.
—The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2025
If found guilty, these men could face harsher punishments under Indian laws designed to protect disadvantaged castes.
—Esha Mitra, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025
Civil confrontations invariably cross classes and castes, bringing together people from radically different social cohorts while separating seemingly natural allies.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Today, many non-Hindus in India, including Muslims, Christians, Jains and Buddhists, also identify with certain castes.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
The term was then extended to include multiple groups outside the upper castes.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
So, there’s no political parties, there’s no races, and there’s no religions, but there are these two groups that are almost like castes.
—Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025
The Ramayana has hundreds of versions — across states, dialects, castes.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
India’s privileged castes hold a disproportionate share of its wealth.
—The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2025
If found guilty, these men could face harsher punishments under Indian laws designed to protect disadvantaged castes.
—Esha Mitra, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025
Civil confrontations invariably cross classes and castes, bringing together people from radically different social cohorts while separating seemingly natural allies.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for castes
Noun
-
Children are welcome at the aforementioned main pool, and the hotel’s version of a kids club, called Seedlings, offers cooking classes, ukulele lessons, and outdoor activities that focus on exploring the natural world.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
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Mercury enters Gemini in your 9th House of Travel and Learning, bringing momentum to classes, applications, or future plans that require a wider view.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Before the final weekend of the season, Andy, who has visited more than 600 stadiums at all levels, tells us his best and worst aspects of each of the Premier League venues.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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The new Gen-2 hand, named Flex 2, combines multiple actuation technologies in a hybrid drive system, enabling it to handle objects with different shapes, textures, and levels of fragility more effectively.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
The film meticulously recreated their steps in linking the Watergate break-in and Republican ‘dirty tricks’ campaign to the highest echelons of power in America.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
17 May 2026
-
Weiss and others with similar beliefs are getting a boost from the highest echelons of the Israeli government.—
Shira Pinson,
NBC news,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Smith has been bumped down to the college ranks.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
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The skill that earned you the promotion is now the skill capping your rise to the executive ranks.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Castes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castes. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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