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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
In 2007, Assaf Rappaport was 24 years old and working inside Unit 81, an elite technology division of the Israeli Defense Forces that builds hardware and surveillance tools. — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026 With rain forecasted to soften conditions even further, expect a birdie-fest where elite driving and dialed-in iron play will determine the winner. — Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
But in recent years, as Columbine’s attendance waned, staying elite among the biggest schools in Colorado became harder. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2026 The comparison holds in the sense that the destination, which sits between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, is where wealthy elites descend to socialize and relax on weekends, during the summer, and over holidays. — Hannah Seligson, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 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
  • Beyond sitting on some of the most valuable land in South Florida, Indian Creek Country Club is also among the region’s most exclusive clubs.
    — Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
  • La Cava, the private wine cellar and private dining event space, offers curated wine tastings and more for exclusive gatherings.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of exclusive
Noun
  • From the viewpoint of the bourgeoisie, both Jews and the aristocracy advocated revolutions and radical change, and thus both attacked the status quo.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The latter category, anticipating biomimicry, is well represented by the automata that captivated the aristocracy in the following century.
    — Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of aristocracy
Noun
  • The idea is to portray them with the same nobility and dignity as the figures of the great masters.
    — Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Along the way, Brees stared NFL QB nobility in the face and took each player down one by one.
    — Larry Holder, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of nobility
Adjective
  • That aching ballad about wanting more, aside from being one of the big showstoppers, holds a special place for Greene.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The latter can be superbly made, and can add something special to the process, but does require a little more practice to get comfortable with.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of special
Noun
  • With the three-row Kia Sorento, the Hyundai Palisade retains the South Korean brands’ 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, both segment and industry bests.
    — James Raia, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Scott William Winters plays Clark, a Harvard student who Will intellectually bests.
    — Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026
Definition of best
Noun
  • 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
  • Grammer will play Lord Fairfax, the unofficial leader of the Virginia gentry who has a complicated relationship to young George Washington as both his crucial mentor and as the father of his romantic rival.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Definition of gentry
Adjective
  • Without better reporting, lawmakers and analysts will have to act with incomplete knowledge, essentially guessing effective tax rates based on limited and sometimes misleading reporting.
    — Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • 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
  • Westman Atelier has achieved a lot on its own, rising to the top of the ranks in complexion and lip.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • He was only getting started, but people could already see the natural ability that the youngster believed would one day take him to the top.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 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 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on elite

Nglish: Translation of elite for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elite

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