elites
Society's upper crust
Elites are the people at the top of a hierarchy—those with the most power, wealth, influence, or skill in a given domain.
Political elites shape policy; cultural elites set taste; athletic elites dominate their sports.
The word often carries suspicion: The elites don't understand ordinary people.
Elite as an adjective means top-tier or exclusive: elite universities, an elite fighting force.
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- upper classWealthiest societal stratum
- privilegedHaving special advantages
blue bloods · patricians · high society · jet set · bourgeoisie · peerage · socialites · glitterati
Having considerable effect
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- controlAuthority to direct
- oligarchyRule by few
plutocracy · hegemony · tycoons · magnates · leadership · command · supremacy · potentates
Educated, intellectual class
- academicsProfessional researchers and teachers
- scholarsExperts in a field
- technocratsExpert-led administrators
- expertsHighly skilled practitioners
specialists · thought leaders · literati · mandarins · cognoscenti · brain trust · valedictorians · prodigies
aristocracy
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- upper classWealthiest societal stratum
privileged · blue bloods · patricians · high society · jet set · bourgeoisie · peerage · socialites · glitterati · A-list
influential
Having considerable effect
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- controlAuthority to direct
oligarchy · plutocracy · hegemony · tycoons · magnates · leadership · command · supremacy · potentates · ruling class
intelligentsia
Educated, intellectual class
- academicsProfessional researchers and teachers
- scholarsExperts in a field
- technocratsExpert-led administrators
experts · specialists · thought leaders · literati · mandarins · cognoscenti · brain trust · valedictorians · prodigies · luminaries
- elitesplutocrats, oligarchs, aristocrats, blue bloods, old money
- political sciencepolitical science, political theory, political behavior, political economy, political institutions
- sociologysocial structure, social class, social institutions, social norms, social mobility
- elite poweroligarchy, plutocracy, oligarch, plutocrat, oligarchs
- populismpopulism, demagogue, demagoguery, anti-establishment, grassroots
- groupsteam, teams, group, club, clubs
elitesmasses
Bulk or populace
common people · commoners · working class · lower classes · underclass
elitespowerless
Lacking strength or authority
disenfranchised · marginalized · voiceless · outsiders · subordinates
- 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