elitism

noun
UK: /ɪˈliːtɪzəm/
US: /ɪˈliːtɪzəm/

  1. The belief that some people are better than others and should have more power or advantages.

    1. Some people view private schools as promoting elitism.
    2. The company's hiring practices have been criticized for promoting elitism within its ranks.

  2. The control or rule by a small group of people who have special skills, knowledge, or wealth.

    1. The club was accused of elitism because it only accepted wealthy members.
    2. Critics argue that the current political system suffers from a form of elitism, where decisions are made by a select few.

Synonyms

snobbery classism exclusivity
elitism adjective

  1. Relating to or supporting the belief that a small group of people deserves special treatment or has more power.

    1. The school has an elitist reputation because of its high fees.
    2. Some believe the awards ceremony promotes an elitist culture within the film industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "elitism" in English means: The belief that some people are better than others and should have more power or advantages., The control or rule by a small group of people who have special skills, knowledge, or wealth..

The phonetic transcription of "elitism" is /ɪˈliːtɪzəm/ in British English and /ɪˈliːtɪzəm/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "elitism": snobbery, classism, exclusivity.

Example usage of "elitism": "Some people view private schools as promoting elitism.". More examples on the page.