elitist 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of elitistnext
as in aristocratic
being or characteristic of a person who has an offensive air of superiority and tends to ignore or disdain anyone regarded as inferior the complacent, elitist attitude of the members at that suburban country club

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

elitist

2 of 2

noun

as in snob

Related 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 elitist
Adjective
But no, the competition is more elitist than ever. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 28 May 2026 There was even one elitist host who fronts the least funny talk show on television — and to prove that point decided to devote an entire laugh-free segment on my column. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 18 May 2026
Noun
In a Fox News interview, Carr portrayed Kimmel as an elitist and his own interests as those of the community. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 18 Sep. 2025 And anyone who thinks of modern Democrats, from Texas or anywhere else, as a collection of elitists or urban snobs would likely not be referring to the 35-year-old Scudder. — John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for elitist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elitist
  1. aristocratic
  2. snob
  3. arrogant
  4. social climber
  5. snobbish
Adjective
  • Here’s one book written by this aristocratic Thai woman almost 80 years ago.
    — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In it, a twelve-year-old boy, Cosimo, rebels against his aristocratic family, and the Enlightenment’s false divide between nature and culture, by climbing a holm oak and spending his life in the canopy.
    — Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of aristocratic
Noun
  • The film captures the friction between tennis snobs and the more democratic pickleballers while examining father-son relationships and intergenerational friendships.
    — Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Sarah and Billo were plain-sailing people who didn’t pursue beauty or seek out texture, whereas Fanny was an exquisite snob without the circumstances to support such haughtiness.
    — Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of snob
Adjective
  • Each of these decisions laid the groundwork for the war on Iran today, one that started without a clear strategy on the arrogant expectation of a quick victory.
    — Alexander Langlois, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The data center industry is only one face of an arrogant oligarchy that people believe now runs Congress, the courts, the White House, state legislatures and local governments.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of arrogant
Noun
  • Keith played conservative social climber Margo Leadbetter, who is baffled by her neighbor Tom's sustainability-centric lifestyle with wife Barbara Good (Felicity Kendal).
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 29 June 2026
  • The stories focused on portraying her as a calculating social climber who only pursued the president’s oldest son to gain access to his wealth, power and celebrity, the Daily Mail also said.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
Definition of social climber
Adjective
  • America’s cheap conveniences can (and often do) spark snobbish criticism about junk food and car culture, but visitors are going viral for enthusiastically embracing the American way.
    — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • Storied animation producer Bonnie Arnold gave short shrift to those who are snobbish about her beloved discipline at Annecy today.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 June 2026
Definition of snobbish

Browse Nearby Words

elites
elitist
elitists
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Cite this Entry

“Elitist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elitist. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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