overclass
Society's ruling tier
The overclass is the wealthy elite at the top of a social hierarchy—the opposite of an underclass.
The term highlights how upper-class advantages are as structurally significant as lower-class disadvantages: Tax policies that favor the overclass.
It carries critical connotations, suggesting unearned privilege or excessive influence over politics and economics.
Titled ruling class
- peerageSystem of noble ranks
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- bluebloodPerson of noble birth
- patricianHighborn Roman elite
titled · dukes · earls · barons · viscounts · marquesses · dynasty · lineage
People with vast fortunes
- oligarchsWealthy few who govern
- magnatesWealthy, powerful industrialists
- tycoonsPowerful business leaders
- mogulsBumps or bigwigs
robber barons · industrialists · financiers · captains of industry · old money · new money · dynastic wealth · trust funds
Dominant group's control
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- ascendancyDominant power or influence
- controlAuthority to direct
influence · authority · governance · sovereignty · establishment · gatekeeping · leverage · clout
The social elite
- upper crustSocial elite class
- jet setWealthy international socialites
- socialitesPeople famous for attending events
- debutantesWomen debuting socially
exclusive · prestige · status · beau monde · glitterati · who's who · social register · cotillion
Assumed right to benefits
- exclusivityState of being limited
- advantageFavorable position or circumstance
- accessRight to enter
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
boarding schools · legacy admissions · country clubs · gated communities · private jets · luxury · insulation · immunity
nobility
Titled ruling class
patrician · titled · dukes · earls · barons · viscounts · marquesses · dynasty · lineage · heraldry
billionaires
People with vast fortunes
- oligarchsWealthy few who govern
- magnatesWealthy, powerful industrialists
- tycoonsPowerful business leaders
moguls · robber barons · industrialists · financiers · captains of industry · old money · new money · dynastic wealth · trust funds · rentiers
hegemony
Dominant group's control
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- ascendancyDominant power or influence
control · influence · authority · governance · sovereignty · establishment · gatekeeping · leverage · clout · kingmakers
high society
The social elite
- upper crustSocial elite class
- jet setWealthy international socialites
- socialitesPeople famous for attending events
debutantes · exclusive · prestige · status · beau monde · glitterati · who's who · social register · cotillion · charity galas
entitlement
Assumed right to benefits
- exclusivityState of being limited
- advantageFavorable position or circumstance
- accessRight to enter
nepotism · boarding schools · legacy admissions · country clubs · gated communities · private jets · luxury · insulation · immunity · preferential treatment
overclassunderclass
Lowest socioeconomic group
lower class · proletariat · working class · working poor · lumpenproletariat
overclasspowerless
Lacking strength or authority
disenfranchised · marginalized · voiceless · subjugated · subaltern