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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Recent Examples of intelligentsia
How such a basic concept eludes the intelligentsia over here is beyond me.
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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
His decision to emigrate underlined the choices available to the Czech intelligentsia at the time.
—Daniel Lewis, New York Times, 12 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for intelligentsia 
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
His decision to emigrate underlined the choices available to the Czech intelligentsia at the time.
—Daniel Lewis, New York Times, 12 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for intelligentsia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intelligentsia
Noun
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The elites, of course, include America’s biggest stars in movies, TV, sports and music.Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
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Unlike other, sycophantic portions of right-wing media, Kirk isn’t simply a hanger-on to the conservative elite.Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Democrats and the public-health clerisy denounced President Trump for rushing Covid vaccines.Allysia Finley, WSJ, 4 Sep. 2022
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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
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If the House of Representatives does not elect a president by Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, then the Vice-President elect becomes the interim President until the House comes to a decision.Solcyré Burga, TIME, 28 Oct. 2024
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The 2024 general elect ion will take place Tuesday, Nov. 5.Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Intelligentsia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intelligentsia. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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