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
Relevance
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
as in exclusive
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
Despite the hurdles, the 20-year-old from Wildomar, Calif., continues to compete at the highest level, balancing the demands of elite athletics with the realities of her diagnosis.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 13 July 2025
Lorena Gonzalez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
New York’s business elite are also grappling with a new political reality made clear by the surge of Mamdani, who was outspent four to one by Cuomo: Wealth no longer buys influence.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for elite
Noun
His beloved Chiefs, like the Nuggets, have experienced recent championship success led by an elite passer who wears No. 15 on his jersey.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
Despite the hurdles, the 20-year-old from Wildomar, Calif., continues to compete at the highest level, balancing the demands of elite athletics with the realities of her diagnosis.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 13 July 2025
Adjective
The natural power imbalances in American capitalism favor large corporations, wealthy developers and economic elites.
—Lorena Gonzalez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
New York’s business elite are also grappling with a new political reality made clear by the surge of Mamdani, who was outspent four to one by Cuomo: Wealth no longer buys influence.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for elite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elite
Noun
-
A little biographical information: He was born in 1896 into the decaying Bourbon aristocracy.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Republican purists wanted a simple, technical training school that kept the costs low and, more importantly, kept the officer corps from evolving into an aristocracy.—
Ryan Shaw / Made by History,
TIME,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Did Gilded Age millionaires really marry their daughters to British nobility in exchange for funding their estates?—
Alexis Nedd,
IndieWire,
2 July 2025
-
Despite her connection by blood to illustrious Roman nobility, Agrippina would disappear almost as swiftly as she was named.—
Diana Arterian
June 16,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
Marino selected a mix of artwork to display inside the boutique, with most placed within the three exclusive fitting rooms.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
11 July 2025
-
Attendees will receive an exclusive Fluffy & Koy SDCC Hall H giveaway!—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Judge holds career bests of 10.60 in the 100 and 21.85 in the 200.—
Matt Roy,
Boston Herald,
11 July 2025
-
In 2017, thousands of men ran 400-meter times that were faster than the personal bests of Olympic gold medalists Sanya Richards-Ross and Allyson Felix.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
This differed from Europe, where land ownership was immobilized by gentry classes who housed and employed farmers.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
15 June 2025
-
These bodies have historically overwhelmingly catered to a tiny sliver of the population — predominantly white, gentry liberals.—
Haisten Willis,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
To avoid the hassle of scrounging in the cargo hold to access their necessaries and furry companions, when in the rearmost position, special storage bins for hand luggage or pet carriers (all of these accessories presumably Bentley branded) emerge from the floor.—
Brett Berk,
Robb Report,
8 July 2025
-
Food trucks also are permitted at special events, like those held at downtown Festival Park, Mylott said.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
The first came in the top of the fourth when Buehler walked Josh Lowe and served up a two-run home run to Ha-Seong Kim, his first of the season to put the Rays ahead 2-1.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
11 July 2025
-
The bra’s clever design features a full-coverage scoop-neck, thick straps, and a low back that can be worn under different types of tops.—
Alyssa Brascia,
People.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
And that same place gives the Eagles, 49ers and Cowboys better odds of winning the Super Bowl than the Lions at plus-2,000.—
Kirkland Crawford,
Detroit Free Press,
20 July 2023
Cite this Entry
“Elite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elite. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share