patrician 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of patriciannext
as in aristocratic
of high birth, rank, or station came from a patrician family

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patrician

2 of 2

noun

pə-ˈtri-shən How to pronounce patrician (audio)
as in aristocrat
a man or woman of high birth or social position the Southern patricians who once resided in these stately plantation homes

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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 patrician
Adjective
Raised in the patrician circles of New York, Sister Parish opened her firm, in 1933 after her family’s fortunes declined following the 1929 market crash. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 22 May 2026 As an industrious and self-reliant senior, Ringwald essentially baby-sits her chronically myopic father (Harry Dean Stanton), sews her own clothes and contends with the condescension of her patrician peers. — Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
As the band’s patrician, party-animal bassist, however, Roberts is quite lively, though her subplot takes a backseat to the film’s other story lines. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025 Because this is the most dazzling, patrician and talked-about hotel to have opened in London this century—with great bones, spirit, heritage, and style; not to mention sybaritic restaurants, bars, and wellness spaces. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for patrician
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patrician
  1. aristocratic
  2. aristocrat
  3. noble
Adjective
  • The Sound and The Fury Told by four narrators in a stream of consciousness writing style, this 1929 story describes the downfall of a wealthy Southern aristocratic family, the Compsons.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 June 2026
  • Because of previous demand, over 20,000 people had been employed in buckle manufacture in the Birmingham area, but when this aristocratic fashion suddenly collapsed in 1786 on the eve of the French Revolution, their trade collapsed along with it.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026
Definition of aristocratic
Noun
  • Perched along the Sea of Marmara, the boutique property sits on the largest of the islands, Büyükada, whose Ottoman-era mansions are where intellectuals and aristocrats held court in the 19th century.
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 1 July 2026
  • Joel David Smallbone is briefly amusing as a cranky aristocrat and the rest of the cast does what they are expected to do.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 1 July 2026
Definition of aristocrat
Noun
  • Guides spoke of the monthlong siege that ended only because of the treachery of a local noble who turned on the sultan and allowed British troops to scale the walls.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 2 July 2026
  • While life expectancy was lower during the 15th Century, nobles like Simonetta often lived longer due in part to their wealth.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 June 2026
Definition of noble

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patrician
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Cite this Entry

“Patrician.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrician. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on patrician

Nglish: Translation of patrician for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about patrician

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