UPPER CRUST Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

upper-crust 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of upper-crust

as in aristocratic

of high birth, rank, or station an interior designer who has intimate knowledge of the tastes of her upper-crust clientele

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

upper crust

2 of 2

noun

as in aristocracy

individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class the conference was a gathering of the upper crust of the computer programming industry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in nobility

the highest class in a society a specialty clothing store for the upper crust

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 upper-crust

Adjective

Hamm plays a suburbanite who steals from his wealthy New York neighbors to maintain his upper-crust lifestyle. — ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026 Quentin Tarantino's ultraviolent World War II fantasy gave the Austrian-German actor his villainous breakout role as Hans Landa, a Nazi baddie with an upper-crust cultural side. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026

Noun

Link, whose real name is Dylan, helped to create Alex prior to the mass extinction event that sent the world's upper crust into Paradise. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Mar. 2026 One measurement among many that marks the Broncos’ ascent back to the NFL’s upper crust in recent years is the seemingly annual attempts to pillage Sean Payton’s coaching staff. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upper-crust

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upper-crust

Adjective

Letizia is the first person with a non-aristocratic background to marry into the Spanish royal family and become queen, according to TIME.

— Audrey Schmidt, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026
The Hotel Due Mari, a 17th-century aristocratic villa formerly owned by the marquesses of Bolasco, sits between Sestri’s two bays.

— Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of aristocratic

Noun

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
At last, Jones also thought, there was a chance to spotlight the dynamic between North Wales‘ working-class community and its aristocracy on the big screen, a corner of Britain’s social history that has long been sidelined.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026

Definition of aristocracy

Noun

Diners included the Beatles, Mick Jagger, Muhammad Ali, Lynn Redgrave, and countless other celebrities, politicians, and nobility.

— David Szondy August 01, New Atlas, 1 Aug. 2026
Traditionally, Japanese royalty — in particular, heirs to the throne — only married other members of the imperial family, or the former court nobility.

— Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

Definition of nobility

Noun

His hitting metrics are all career bests, and he’s headed for his fourth consecutive season of 20-plus homers.

— Zack Meisel, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Atwell, the 26-year-old five-year veteran, has modest career bests of 67 receptions (2023), 562 yards (2024), and three touchdowns (2023).

— Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026

Definition of best

Noun

Newport, Rhode Island A go-to destination for the upper class during the Gilded Age, Newport is a classic New England destination with some truly gorgeous mansions that visitors can tour.

— Kara Nesvig, Parents, 15 July 2026
Willem Dafoe costars as a former vampire nicknamed Elvis who leads a resistance against the greedy, capitalist vampire upper class — a good indication of the film’s campy tone.

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026

Definition of upper class

Noun

This weakness was exploited by elite running backs such as Bijan Robinson (Buffalo was upset by the Falcons and gave up 210 rushing yards) and De’Von Achane (the Dolphins gained 197 rushing yards in their second meeting, an upset win).

— Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
As a model professional, Rodri should still have plenty of years to enjoy in the elite.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of elite

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

Noun

With energy prices moving higher in July so far, and recent strong statements on fighting inflation, markets see broadly a 1 in 3 chance that the FOMC elects to increase rates in July.

— Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Veleria Levy, representative-elect for northeast Charlotte’s state House District 99, testified against Duke’s original proposal this spring.

— Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026

Definition of elect

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upper-crust

upper crust

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“Upper-crust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upper-crust. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of upper-crust

adjective

noun

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