society
People living together
Society describes the abstract entity that arises from people living together and forming communities that operate according to accepted norms and rules.
Society can apply generally to the common features of a large group (as in American society or European society), but it can also represent a small organization formed from common interest, such as an animal welfare society.
Society can also refer to the wealthiest or most exclusive members of a particular community (high society, society ball).
Condition or mode
- nationSovereign political entity
- governmentAuthority over a state
- republicState with elected leaders
- commonwealthState for public good
democracy · electorate · sovereignty · citizenry · civil · civic · public · constitution
Residential area nearby
- villageSmall rural community
- townshipCounty's smaller division
- hamletTiny rural settlement
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
residents · inhabitants · locals · populace · folk · clan · tribe · kinship
Organization with membership
- guildProfessional mutual-aid society
- leagueAssociation or distance unit
- fraternitySpirit of brotherly connection
- sororityWomen's collegiate social organization
fellowship · foundation · institution · consortium · syndicate · coalition · federation · union
Ranked authority structure
- stratificationDivision into distinct levels
- classGrouping by shared traits
- casteInherited social division
- systemConnected parts forming whole
framework · institutions · governance · bureaucracy · order · roles · status · mobility
Traditional practices or import taxes
- traditionsLong-established customs passed down
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- folkloreInherited cultural narratives
beliefs · values · norms · ceremonies · taboos · mythology · cuisine · language
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- upper-classSocially and economically privileged
- debutantesWomen debuting socially
bluebloods · jet-set · philanthropists · privilege · affluence · exclusivity · cotillion · salon
Wholeness through cohesion
- solidarityUnity among allies
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- cooperationJoint action toward shared aims
- integrationCombining into a whole
consensus · interdependence · collaboration · bonding · stability · trust · reciprocity · inclusion
Improve by correcting faults
- modernizationAdoption of current methods
- developmentProgress toward maturity
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
transformation · enlightenment · innovation · liberation · empowerment · revolution · movement · activism
state
Condition or mode
- nationSovereign political entity
- governmentAuthority over a state
- republicState with elected leaders
commonwealth · democracy · electorate · sovereignty · citizenry · civil · civic · public · constitution · laws
neighborhood
Residential area nearby
settlement · residents · inhabitants · locals · populace · folk · clan · tribe · kinship · fellowship
club
Organization with membership
- guildProfessional mutual-aid society
- leagueAssociation or distance unit
- fraternitySpirit of brotherly connection
sorority · fellowship · foundation · institution · consortium · syndicate · coalition · federation · union · chapter
hierarchy
Ranked authority structure
- stratificationDivision into distinct levels
- classGrouping by shared traits
- casteInherited social division
system · framework · institutions · governance · bureaucracy · order · roles · status · mobility · inequality
customs
Traditional practices or import taxes
- traditionsLong-established customs passed down
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
folklore · beliefs · values · norms · ceremonies · taboos · mythology · cuisine · language · religion
aristocracy
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- upper-classSocially and economically privileged
debutantes · bluebloods · jet-set · philanthropists · privilege · affluence · exclusivity · cotillion · salon · patricians
unity
Wholeness through cohesion
- solidarityUnity among allies
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- cooperationJoint action toward shared aims
integration · consensus · interdependence · collaboration · bonding · stability · trust · reciprocity · inclusion · participation
reform
Improve by correcting faults
- modernizationAdoption of current methods
- developmentProgress toward maturity
- advancementForward movement or promotion
evolution · transformation · enlightenment · innovation · liberation · empowerment · revolution · movement · activism · change
- groupsteam, teams, group, club, clubs
- peoplepeople, persons, person, individuals, humans
- social studiescivics, maps, economics, community, anthropology
- societyclass, citizen, culture, norms, class structure
- topicsnature, health, sports, science, politics
- civilizationempires, empire, civilizations, dynasty, kingdoms
societysolitude
State of being alone
isolation · aloneness · solitariness · loneliness · seclusion
societyindividual
One separate human being
individuality · the self · person · personality · autonomy
societynature
Inherent quality or disposition
wilderness · the wild · state of nature · savagery · barbarism
- high societyThe social elite
- secret societyCovert fraternal organization
- medieval societyPre-modern European social structure
- humane societyOrganization protecting mistreated animals
- tribal societyKinship-based communal organization
- secret societiesOrganizations operating in concealment