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
Another factor is pushback from Russian elites, who are banned from living abroad and have lost the protection of Western laws that preserved their wealth.
—
Jason Ma, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Soon, not only was business a subject for scientific management, in the eyes of progressive elites, but so were schools and even churches and, naturally, cities and nations.
—Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
The chatter among party elites appears at odds with recent polling in Harris’ favor, including in April’s Harvard Center for American Political Studies/Harris Poll, which showed Harris leading the Democratic field with support from 50% of Democrats.
—Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
At the same time, our public education system is being purposefully sabotaged by corporate elites seeking to sow doubt about our public schools in order to redirect public money straight into their pockets.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 8 May 2026
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new sanctions against Cuba's military regime and elites.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 7 May 2026
However, having the right United credit card unlocks complimentary upgrades on award flights for United elites, including (but not limited to) the United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees), the United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees) and the United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees).
—Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 4 May 2026
There were ups and downs through the race’s first few decades, but always a consistent effort to get elites— women included—to the track.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 1 May 2026
That said, some of Iran’s political elites do oppose talks with the United States.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 1 May 2026
Jason Ma, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Soon, not only was business a subject for scientific management, in the eyes of progressive elites, but so were schools and even churches and, naturally, cities and nations.
—Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
The chatter among party elites appears at odds with recent polling in Harris’ favor, including in April’s Harvard Center for American Political Studies/Harris Poll, which showed Harris leading the Democratic field with support from 50% of Democrats.
—Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
At the same time, our public education system is being purposefully sabotaged by corporate elites seeking to sow doubt about our public schools in order to redirect public money straight into their pockets.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 8 May 2026
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new sanctions against Cuba's military regime and elites.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 7 May 2026
However, having the right United credit card unlocks complimentary upgrades on award flights for United elites, including (but not limited to) the United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees), the United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees) and the United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees).
—Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 4 May 2026
There were ups and downs through the race’s first few decades, but always a consistent effort to get elites— women included—to the track.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 1 May 2026
That said, some of Iran’s political elites do oppose talks with the United States.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elites
Noun
-
Patrick Dempsey and Michael Imperioli don their red-carpet-best at the FOX Upfront Red Carpet on May 11 in New York City.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
-
Graham polled next-best with 43% favorability among Democrats and 22% among independents, and with 14% of Democrats and 25% of independents viewing him unfavorably.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The existing political infrastructure has no way of accommodating migration on the coming scale, which will evacuate departure economies, and overwhelm destination societies.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
This vision resonated with the leaders of the Gulf states and their citizens, who have increasingly come to see themselves not as mere custodians of oil fields and checkbooks, but as builders of dynamic new economies and societies.—
Daniel Benaim,
Time,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Inter took the Serie A title last night, having been champions-elect for weeks.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
-
Obama’s staff would look less amused a few weeks later, as their boss hosted President-elect Trump at the White House.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elites. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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