Elitism: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when describing attitudes or policies of favoring a privileged group, often with a negative connotation.

• The company's elitism was evident in their refusal to hire graduates from less-known universities.
• Despite the social benefits, the new policy was criticized for its elitism.

Describes behavior or attitudes of people who believe they are superior to others based on their tastes, education, or social status, typically with a negative connotation.

• Her snobbery was evident when she refused to dine at any restaurant that wasn't Michelin-starred.
• He displayed his snobbery by constantly judging others for their choice of clothing.

Refers to a class of people holding high social status due to noble birth or inherited wealth, typically in historical contexts or discussions of social classes.

• The country's aristocracy owned most of the land and had significant political influence.
• Many stories romanticize the lives of the aristocracy during the Victorian era.

Used to describe the state of being limited to a select group, often in a neutral or positive context, emphasizing uniqueness or high quality.

• The exclusivity of the club makes it very desirable among the city's elite.
• Their latest product line emphasizes exclusivity and luxury.

Use this word when referring to a belief or attitude that a particular group of people with certain qualities or socio-economic status are superior to others.

• The company’s elitism left many talented individuals feeling undervalued.
• The school’s elitism discouraged students from diverse backgrounds.

Use this term when referring to the practice of giving unfair preferential treatment to one person or group at the expense of others.

• The manager's favoritism created a toxic work environment.
• Students complained about the teacher’s favoritism toward certain classmates.

This word is best suited for situations where people in power show favoritism to friends or family members, often by giving them jobs.

• The company's nepotism hindered the career progression of many employees.
• Accusations of nepotism arose when the CEO hired his nephew.

This word is appropriate when describing unfair or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, usually based on race, age, or gender.

• He faced discrimination at work because of his age.
• The new policy aims to reduce discrimination in the hiring process.