Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who believes in or advocates for rule by an elite group: An elitist is someone who supports the idea that a select group of people—often considered superior due to wealth, intellect, status, or other attributes—should hold power or have a dominant influence in society.
   • A person who is perceived as being snobbish or exclusive: More broadly, an elitist can refer to someone who believes themselves or their group to be superior and excludes others they consider not worthy.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The policy was criticized as it seemed to be designed by elitists out of touch with ordinary citizens.
  • She was accused of being an elitist for only hiring graduates from Ivy League universities.

Advanced Usage

• As an adjective: While the primary entry is a noun, "elitist" is frequently used attributively as an adjective to describe attitudes, policies, or institutions.
  • He criticized the club's elitist membership criteria.
  • The debate was marred by elitist assumptions about cultural knowledge.

Variants and Related Words

• Elitism (noun): The belief or attitude that an elite group is superior and should dominate.
  • The party was accused of promoting elitism.
• Elite (noun/adjective): Refers to the select group itself or something of the highest quality.
  • The elite troops were deployed. / She attended an elite university.

Synonyms

• Snob: A person who believes their tastes or social status are superior.
• Highbrow: A person of scholarly or intellectual tastes (can be neutral or pejorative).
• Aristocrat: A member of the aristocracy; sometimes used figuratively for someone with exclusive tastes.

Antonyms

• Egalitarian: A person who believes in the principle of equality for all people.
• Populist: A person who claims to represent the concerns of ordinary people.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• "Elitist attitude": A demeanor perceived as condescending or exclusive.
  • His elitist attitude made him unpopular with his colleagues.
• "Anti-elitist": Opposed to elitist attitudes or policies.
  • The movement gained support with its anti-elitist rhetoric.

Noun

1. someone who believes in rule by an elite group