aristocracy

noun

ˌa-rə-ˈstä-krə-sē How to pronounce aristocracy (audio)
Definition of aristocracynext
1
as in nobility
the highest class in a society at one time in China only the aristocracy could own land

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in elite
individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class membership in the society is reserved for the literary world's aristocracy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of aristocracy At last, Jones also thought, there was a chance to spotlight the dynamic between North Wales‘ working-class community and its aristocracy on the big screen, a corner of Britain’s social history that has long been sidelined. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026 Meanwhile, its extensive aristocracy dominated its society and economy. — David Armitage, Washington Post, 26 June 2026 Then, as things started to change politically in England, there was the beginning of that feeling of an uprising by the serfs against the aristocracy and the landowners, and this cultural hero rocking the boat and stealing from the rich to give to the poor started to be birthed. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 17 June 2026 The Order used to be limited to the aristocracy, but members are now selected from a variety of backgrounds in celebration of their public service, with both men and women welcomed. — Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for aristocracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aristocracy
  1. nobility
  2. elite
  3. gentry
  4. best
  5. society
  6. royalty
  7. elect
  8. priesthood
Noun
  • He was branded a heretic, in part for preaching that the nobility were immoral and so was nobility itself.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Originally published in Esquire magazine, this group portrait of jazz nobility was photographed at 17 East 126th Street in New York City.
    — David Morgan, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of nobility
Noun
  • Most worked to serve the city's elites as guards, cleaners, tailors and butchers.
    — Diaa Hadid, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026
  • That’s a lot of turnover from a unit that has been among the elite in college football the past couple seasons.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of elite
Noun
  • Parker will play Mary Washington, George’s strong willed mother, while Rodgers will play Sally Cary, the charming beauty of the Virginia gentry who first sees his potential.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Grammer will play Lord Fairfax, the unofficial leader of the Virginia gentry who has a complicated relationship to young George Washington as both his crucial mentor and as the father of his romantic rival.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Definition of gentry
Noun
  • Benton had career bests in tackles (51), tackles for loss (6) and sacks (5 1/2) while helping the Steelers to the AFC North title.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • With the three-row Kia Sorento, the Hyundai Palisade retains the South Korean brands’ 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, both segment and industry bests.
    — James Raia, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of best
Noun
  • Industry insiders and progressive advocates alike are beginning to acknowledge the reality that the clean energy evolution that offers the most hope for addressing climate change is one that requires society to use every available solution.
    — M Douglas Dagan, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • In a dystopian world of desperation and war, small glimmers of hope keep society from crumbling completely.
    — Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of society
Noun
  • The writers’ bread and butter comes from not just streaming but performance royalties.
    — Melinda Newman, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026
  • For Parton, though, the song’s success was about more than charts or royalties.
    — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of royalty
Noun
  • The governor-elect faced a fight over removing Nick Balletto, who had initially been dismissive of Lamont as a candidate, as the Democratic state chair.
    — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2026
  • With energy prices moving higher in July so far, and recent strong statements on fighting inflation, markets see broadly a 1 in 3 chance that the FOMC elects to increase rates in July.
    — Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of elect
Noun
  • Parsi priesthood is hereditary, meaning all the boys here have been born into priestly families.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
  • The ability to analyze, explain, forecast, and build no longer belongs exclusively to a technical priesthood.
    — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 16 June 2026
Definition of priesthood

Browse Nearby Words

aristocracies
aristocracy
aristocrat
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Cite this Entry

“Aristocracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aristocracy. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on aristocracy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aristocracy

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