as in literati
intellectuals considered as a social class a presidential candidate who was the darling of the intelligentsia—and very few others

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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 intelligentsia The musical intelligentsia had turned out en masse. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024 How such a basic concept eludes the intelligentsia over here is beyond me. Philip Klein, National Review, 8 Dec. 2023 Even the secular intelligentsia banded with the ayatollah, dismissing the protests and the blatant anti-Semitic and anti-feminist character of the new leadership as a few minor quirks upon which the great revolution could not afford to dwell. Roya Hakakian, The Atlantic, 22 Nov. 2023 As a member of São Paulo’s European intelligentsia, Zalszupin isn’t an obvious figure to draw into such debates, yet he was always defined by dualities: his twin pursuits of ease and restraint, his fascination with industry and love of craft. Michael Snyder Ana Topoleanu, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2023 See all Example Sentences for intelligentsia 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intelligentsia
Noun
  • Centered around the drama of New York City’s elite during the 1880s—and the rapidly changing social and economic landscape of the post-Civil War era—the show serves up plenty of glamour, grandeur, and guilty pleasure.
    Radhika Seth, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2025
  • Populism has pressed the claims of the less powerful against those of the landowners, the financiers, the industrialists and other species of elite.
    Ron Elving, NPR, 1 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Democrats and the public-health clerisy denounced President Trump for rushing Covid vaccines.
    Allysia Finley, WSJ, 4 Sep. 2022
  • They are ruled by a grizzled and sclerotic clerisy that funnels resources to its private army, the terrorist Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
    Matthew Continetti, National Review, 24 Sep. 2022
Noun
  • Second lady elect Usha Vance opted for a pink tea-length Oscar de la Renta coat and taupe boots.
    Vogue, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2025
  • With every point so critical, will coach Martin St. Louis elect to give Dobes more starts — or perhaps even a run of games at some point?
    Carol Schram, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near intelligentsia

Cite this Entry

“Intelligentsia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intelligentsia. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

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