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elitist attitude

elitist attitude

1 7.5
A way of thinking that makes you feel better than others and makes you treat them as less important
  • noun
  • /ɪˈliːtɪst ˈætɪtjuːd/
translation icon : actitud elitista
  • Her elitist attitude often alienates her from those who might otherwise be her friends.

Examples

  • Under what circumstances do gifted and talented programs lead to "big heads," elitist attitudes, or social isolation?

    Academic text (1990)
  • The truth is I have some quite elitist attitudes towards our hobby.

    Blog text (7)
  • But there is a huge difference between being financially responsible and having an elitist attitude toward parenting.

    Blog text (20)
  • We need to push for change and for new structures that protect the democratic process and eliminate the elitist attitude in Washington.

    Blog text (8)
  • This elitist attitude toward Joe is just another example of their arrogance.

    Blog text (20)
  • Romney fell short; I felt his arrogance and elitist attitude hurt his campaign.

    Blog text (34)
  • I do not like Bush because he is a spoiled brat. He never had to do a day's work in his life and has an elitist attitude toward the working class.

    Blog text (20)
  • His class at Macalester filled immediately, prompting one student to complain of the "elitist attitude" of the political science department for closing the course without ever having opened it to nonmajors.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Many people feel that an elitist attitude in the workplace can create a toxic environment.

  • The coach's elitist attitude towards less experienced players discouraged the newcomers.

Synonyms

arrogance
vselitist attitude
133 4.8

Being too proud and acting as if you are better than others

is especially about creating social distance and excluding others
superiority
vselitist attitude
33 6.1

Acting or feeling that you are better than other people and making them feel small

focuses on social exclusion and condescending behavior rather than belief alone
condescension
vselitist attitude
16 7.9

An attitude that shows someone feels more important than others

is the general sense of superiority that often causes this patronizing tone
elitism
vselitist attitude
15 7.5

Belief that a small, more able group should lead society

is an attitude of personal superiority that causes social exclusion
snobbery
vselitist attitude
  • Offensive
12 6.3

An attitude of thinking you are better than others because of wealth or class

is similar but also includes personal superiority without wealth focus
superiority complex
vselitist attitude
2 7.2

Feeling that you are better than other people because you think highly of yourself

is more about social exclusion and treating others as lesser
grandiosity
vselitist attitude
  • Specialized
1 7.9

Thinking that you are more important or powerful than others

is the everyday social behavior of feeling superior and excluding people
snobbishness
vselitist attitude
  • Offensive
1 7.4

A way of behaving like you are better than other people because of money or class

is broader, applying superiority to many kinds of exclusion
snobbism
vselitist attitude
  • Offensive
1 8.4

Being someone who thinks they are better than people with less money or social position and looks down on them

is wider, covering any superior attitude that leads to exclusion
snootiness
vselitist attitude
1 8.1

A way of behaving that shows you think you are better than other people

is more about general superiority that causes social exclusion
superciliousness
vselitist attitude
9.8

Behaving as if you are better than other people

is the broader belief or behavior that creates social distance
condescendingness
vselitist attitude
8.9

Treating people as if they are less smart or important

is the underlying superior belief that produces such polite condescension
disdainfulness
vselitist attitude
8.8

A feeling that you are better than other people

is broader, covering many forms of superiority beyond open contempt
conceitedness
vselitist attitude
7.4

Thinking you are much better or more important than other people

is more about acting superior toward others, not just self pride

Antonyms

105 3.8

Being modest and not thinking you are better than other people

Making everyone feel welcome and treating them fairly

How Elitist

elitist attitude
1 7.5
condescending
65 7.4
openness
35 3.9

Surface Forms

Morphology

elitist + attitude

The meaning is directly derivable from the adjective 'elitist' (favoring or privileging elites) combined with 'attitude' (a habitual way of thinking or feeling). This is a straightforward adjective+noun composition with no idiomatic shift, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily understand the phrase.

Etymology

Elitist attitude paints a simple picture: an elitist standing on a higher step with a proud attitude, looking down on others. So it means a way of thinking or acting that shows someone feels 'superior' and often leaves others out.