elite
Cream of society
Elite refers to a select group regarded as superior—the best, most powerful, or most privileged within a larger population.
The elite may be defined by wealth, talent, education, or social standing: political elite, academic elite, elite athletes.
As an adjective, elite describes things associated with or reserved for such groups: an elite private school, elite military units.
The word can carry either admiration or resentment, depending on whether excellence or exclusivity is emphasized.
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- royaltyPayment for usage rights
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- patricianHighborn Roman elite
blue-blood · peerage · titled · highborn · noble · landed · dynastic · pedigreed
Top competitor, or advocate
- pinnacleUtmost summit or spire
- superiorHigher in rank
- exemplaryServing as ideal model
- outstandingExceptionally good or unpaid
supreme · peak · premier · unrivaled · unsurpassed · top-tier · ultimate · foremost
Having abundant financial resources
- plutocracyRule by the rich
- oligarchyRule by few
- millionairePerson possessing great wealth
- billionairePerson worth ten figures
magnate · tycoon · opulence · luxury · privileged · jet-set · inheritance · endowment
Restricted to enrolled participants
- restrictedLimited in scope
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- VIPNotable, for short
- closedNot accessible now
insider · inaccessible · guarded · reserved · gated · clubhouse · exclusive · rarefied
Given as present
- prodigyGifted youth with rare talent
- geniusPerson of rare brilliance
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- maestroDistinguished musical leader
adept · expert · master · brilliant · accomplished · exceptional · skilled · savant
Having considerable effect
- leadershipAbility to direct others
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- cloutInformal power or punch
control · ruling · establishment · kingmaker · oligarch · networking · decision-maker · powerbroker
Greatly respected, admired
- renownedWidely known and esteemed
- distinguishedNotable and respected
- eminentHigh in rank, respected
- illustriousWidely admired for achievements
respected · acclaimed · decorated · credentialed · laureate · celebrated · honored · venerable
aristocracy
Rule by hereditary elite
patrician · blue-blood · peerage · titled · highborn · noble · landed · dynastic · pedigreed · upper-crust
champion
Top competitor, or advocate
outstanding · supreme · peak · premier · unrivaled · unsurpassed · top-tier · ultimate · foremost · leading
affluent
Having abundant financial resources
- plutocracyRule by the rich
- oligarchyRule by few
- millionairePerson possessing great wealth
billionaire · magnate · tycoon · opulence · luxury · privileged · jet-set · inheritance · endowment · manor
members-only
Restricted to enrolled participants
- restrictedLimited in scope
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- VIPNotable, for short
closed · insider · inaccessible · guarded · reserved · gated · clubhouse · exclusive · rarefied · cloistered
gifted
Given as present
- prodigyGifted youth with rare talent
- geniusPerson of rare brilliance
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
maestro · adept · expert · master · brilliant · accomplished · exceptional · skilled · savant · whiz
influential
Having considerable effect
- leadershipAbility to direct others
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
clout · control · ruling · establishment · kingmaker · oligarch · networking · decision-maker · powerbroker · cadre
esteemed
Greatly respected, admired
- renownedWidely known and esteemed
- distinguishedNotable and respected
- eminentHigh in rank, respected
illustrious · respected · acclaimed · decorated · credentialed · laureate · celebrated · honored · venerable · reputable
- Dystopia1984, Nineteen Eighty-Four, dystopian fiction, totalitarianism, Brave New World
- French Loanwordsa la carte, ballet, a la mode, au revoir, bon appetit
- Affluencewealth, wealthy, affluence, prestige, status
- bigwigsbigwig, big shot, big wig, VIP, big kahuna
- elitearistocrats, nobility, best, finest, cream of the crop
- excellenceexcellence, greatness, superior, perfection, premium
elitemasses
Bulk or populace
commoners · rabble · riffraff · plebeians · proletariat
eliteworst
Superlative of inferior
inferior · mediocre · substandard · bottom-tier · dregs
- elite squadHighly trained select group
- elite institutionExclusive high-status organization
- the eliteMost powerful group
- elite unitsBest-trained military groups
- elite athletesBest in their sport
- elitist attitudeSense of inherent superiority