meritocrat
Talent-based success story
A meritocrat is someone who has risen to a position of power or influence based on their abilities and achievements rather than their family connections, wealth, or social class.
The term can be neutral, simply describing someone who succeeded through talent and hard work, but it often carries a note of criticism—implying someone who believes too confidently that their success was purely earned and that others could do the same if they just tried harder.
The meritocrats in Silicon Valley rarely acknowledge the advantages that helped them get there.
One who advocates something
- championTop competitor, or advocate
- supporterOne who backs another
- defenderOne who guards another
- technocratSpecialist governing through expertise
wonk · reformer · modernizer · believer · elitist · mandarin · ideologue
Innate capability
- giftednessExceptional innate ability
- expertiseSkill from extensive practice
- capabilityPower to accomplish tasks
- geniusPerson of rare brilliance
prowess · skill · proficiency · competence · brilliance · virtuosity · mastery · acumen
Preference for privileged rule
- privilegeExclusive right or benefit
- credentialismOvervaluing formal qualifications
- gatekeepingControlling access to something
- inequalityUnequal distribution of resources
exclusivity · stratification · sorting · rat-race · treadmill · burnout · myth · illusion
Successful completion of aim
- excellenceOutstanding quality or merit
- credentialsEvidence of qualification or identity
- qualificationsProof of competence
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
recognition · valedictorian · overachiever · success · awards · honors · accolades
Ordered list by performance
- contestsCompetitive events or disputes
- selectionChosen item or items
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
screening · vetting · SAT · GRE · sorting · placement · qualifying · licensure
Strong desire for achievement
- driveOperate a vehicle
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- strivingEarnest sustained endeavor
- climbingAscending by physical effort
goal-oriented · self-made · hustler · go-getter · striver · careerist · motivated · industrious
Philosophy of universal equality
- individualismDoctrine of personal independence
- libertarianismMinimal-government political philosophy
- utilitarianismGreatest-happiness moral theory
- objectivismBelief in external truths
proponent
One who advocates something
technocrat · wonk · reformer · modernizer · believer · elitist · mandarin · ideologue
aptitude
Innate capability
- giftednessExceptional innate ability
- expertiseSkill from extensive practice
- capabilityPower to accomplish tasks
genius · prowess · skill · proficiency · competence · brilliance · virtuosity · mastery · acumen · ingenuity
elitism
Preference for privileged rule
- privilegeExclusive right or benefit
- credentialismOvervaluing formal qualifications
- gatekeepingControlling access to something
inequality · exclusivity · stratification · sorting · rat-race · treadmill · burnout · myth · illusion · ideology
accomplishment
Successful completion of aim
- excellenceOutstanding quality or merit
- credentialsEvidence of qualification or identity
- qualificationsProof of competence
distinction · recognition · valedictorian · overachiever · success · awards · honors · accolades
rankings
Ordered list by performance
- contestsCompetitive events or disputes
- selectionChosen item or items
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
assessment · screening · vetting · SAT · GRE · sorting · placement · qualifying · licensure
aspiration
Strong desire for achievement
- driveOperate a vehicle
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- strivingEarnest sustained endeavor
climbing · goal-oriented · self-made · hustler · go-getter · striver · careerist · motivated · industrious · enterprising
egalitarianism
Philosophy of universal equality
- individualismDoctrine of personal independence
- libertarianismMinimal-government political philosophy
- utilitarianismGreatest-happiness moral theory
objectivism · equal-opportunity · fairness · technocracy · Confucianism
meritocratnepotist
One favoring kin professionally
aristocrat · heir · legacy admission · crony · trust fund baby
meritocrategalitarian
Equality principle supporter
hereditarian · monarchist · feudalist · aristocrat · traditionalist