all-star
Cream of crop
An all-star is someone selected as one of the best in their field, originally in sports where all-star teams or games feature top players from different squads: the NBA All-Star Game, an all-star lineup.
The term extends beyond athletics to describe any assembly of exceptional talent: an all-star cast, an all-star panel of experts.
As an adjective, it means composed of or featuring such elite performers.
Superior select group
- top-tierOf highest quality
- world-classOf highest international standard
- first-rateOf superior quality
- exceptionalNotably above the norm
outstanding · premier · superior · top-notch · standout · best-in-class · cream-of-the-crop · A-list
Best player award
- championTop competitor, or advocate
- medalistCompetition award recipient
- record-holderOne with best result
- lettermanDecorated school athlete
varsity · starter · pro · rookie · veteran · captain · playmaker · scorer
Public display of items
- showcaseCabinet for displaying items
- midseasonHalfway through a schedule
- rosterList of members
- selectionChosen item or items
voting · ballot · fan-favorite · reserves · bench · wild-card · snub · replacement
Ordered list of participants
- squadSmall working group
- teamOrganized cooperative unit
- selectionChosen item or items
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
cast · crew · panel · delegation · first-string · bench · rotation · bullpen
High regard, moral dignity
- accoladeExpression of high esteem
- selectionChosen item or items
- nominationFormal candidate selection
- nodBrief head tilt
distinction · achievement · award · trophy · plaque · certificate · jersey · legacy
elite
Superior select group
- top-tierOf highest quality
- world-classOf highest international standard
- first-rateOf superior quality
exceptional · outstanding · premier · superior · top-notch · standout · best-in-class · cream-of-the-crop · A-list · blue-chip
MVP
Best player award
- championTop competitor, or advocate
- medalistCompetition award recipient
- record-holderOne with best result
letterman · varsity · starter · pro · rookie · veteran · captain · playmaker · scorer · pitcher
exhibition
Public display of items
selection · voting · ballot · fan-favorite · reserves · bench · wild-card · snub · replacement · weekend
lineup
Ordered list of participants
ensemble · cast · crew · panel · delegation · first-string · bench · rotation · bullpen · nominee
honor
High regard, moral dignity
- accoladeExpression of high esteem
- selectionChosen item or items
- nominationFormal candidate selection
nod · distinction · achievement · award · trophy · plaque · certificate · jersey · legacy · milestone
- all-
- elite performersvirtuoso, MVP, maestro, prodigy, phenom
- winnerswinner, winners, champion, champions, victors
- star playersfranchise player, MVP, ace, face of the franchise, headliner
- basketball playerscenter, point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward
- sports rankingsworld number one, top seed, MVP, first team, second team
all-starbenchwarmer
Seldom-used team member
scrub · mediocrity · second-stringer · nobody · amateur
all-starbenchwarmer
Seldom-used team member
bench player · third-stringer · reserve · backup · substitute
all, star, superstar, starlight, stellar, starring, starry, stardom, megastar