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

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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
With the status of leading rusher Jeremy Payne up in the air, TCU will have to lean more into this offensive identity to support a defense and special teams unit playing at such an elite level. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026 Starring Zhang Yi, Ma Li, and Chen Minghao alongside guest appearances by Karry Wang, Fan Chengcheng, and Chen Feiyu, the multi-decade drama chronicles an elite public security detective unravelling major criminal mysteries based on real cases. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026
Noun
Mizrahi Jews often identify with the right and especially Likud, having faced discrimination by the European-descended elites that traditionally dominate Israeli government, military and business institutions. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 Slowing down Cook will be one of TCU’s primary goals, as the Horned Frogs’ elite run defense squares off with one of the nation’s most prolific rushing attacks. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 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
  • Early backers can secure their own handmade bronze EDC cutter before this exclusive batch sells out.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Less than six months ago, OpenAI said Microsoft would no longer have the exclusive license on its intellectual property.
    — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of exclusive
Noun
  • Advertisement The revolution still to come At the heart of the French Revolution of 1789 was the abolition of the privileges of the aristocracy and clergy.
    — Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Of course, one entertainer who isn’t in that category would seem to be a natural fit for Arrowhead — the one who has married into Kansas City’s aristocracy.
    — Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of aristocracy
Noun
  • Legal recognition of the country’s nobility stopped in 1946 and for aristocrats such as Princess Giacinta Ruspoli, upkeep of the family’s ancestral homes doesn’t come cheap.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Thomas Jefferson is believed to have loved these wines and today they are enjoyed by Italian nobility and discerning wine lovers the world over.
    — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of nobility
Adjective
  • On Tuesday, Elon Musk, the CEO and largest shareholder of both companies, said the electric vehicle maker and the rocket company had formed special committees at the request of shareholders to discuss the idea.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
  • For the collection, the mill applies a special cleaning process to cotton that removes 80 percent of impurities.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of special
Noun
  • Lamb had 189 yards receiving on career bests of 21 targets and 17 catches.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Pugh’s performance is a master class in physicality and flair, one of her career bests.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of best
Noun
  • When it was closed down in 1539, its treasures, books and relics were seized and its lands and buildings sold off, some to local nobles and gentry, some to the town authorities of Bury.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of gentry
Adjective
  • Which is why better hiring begins with three ways of protecting ourselves against both.
    — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • 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
  • In true dump cake style, add all ingredients to create a pumpkin filling and top with boxed yellow cake mix and butter to create a warm, satisfying dessert that’s perfect for holidays and weeknights.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Unlike most eVTOLs, which use propellers, the Roadster utilized compressed air jets to leap over other cars and propel from the top of a ramp six or seven stories high during its product reveal earlier this month.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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