as in classes
one of the segments of society into which people are grouped
a member of the upper caste
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of castes
Today, many non-Hindus in India, including Muslims, Christians, Jains and Buddhists, also identify with certain castes.
—
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
The term was then extended to include multiple groups outside the upper castes.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
So, there’s no political parties, there’s no races, and there’s no religions, but there are these two groups that are almost like castes.
—Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025
The Ramayana has hundreds of versions — across states, dialects, castes.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
India’s privileged castes hold a disproportionate share of its wealth.
—The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2025
If found guilty, these men could face harsher punishments under Indian laws designed to protect disadvantaged castes.
—Esha Mitra, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025
Civil confrontations invariably cross classes and castes, bringing together people from radically different social cohorts while separating seemingly natural allies.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
They were designed to help the backward castes under the untouchables and so forth, and then expanded to some other groups.
—Ananya Vajpeyi, Foreign Affairs, 27 Jan. 2016
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
The term was then extended to include multiple groups outside the upper castes.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
So, there’s no political parties, there’s no races, and there’s no religions, but there are these two groups that are almost like castes.
—Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025
The Ramayana has hundreds of versions — across states, dialects, castes.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
India’s privileged castes hold a disproportionate share of its wealth.
—The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2025
If found guilty, these men could face harsher punishments under Indian laws designed to protect disadvantaged castes.
—Esha Mitra, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025
Civil confrontations invariably cross classes and castes, bringing together people from radically different social cohorts while separating seemingly natural allies.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
They were designed to help the backward castes under the untouchables and so forth, and then expanded to some other groups.
—Ananya Vajpeyi, Foreign Affairs, 27 Jan. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for castes
Noun
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While some families said kids benefited from mainstreaming, many teachers and parents argued that classes became too chaotic because of the way the policy was implemented.—
Laurie Stern,
NPR,
26 Apr. 2026
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Coming off a three-win season, one of the worst in franchise history, the Cardinals need to stack strong draft classes to compete in the rugged NFC West.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In a study published in Cell in September 2025, researchers mapped the brain circuits that release growth hormone during sleep in real time, not just by measuring blood levels after the fact.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
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Instead, public universities, local governments and regional organizations like the Mekong River Commission have mainly focused on monitoring levels of heavy metals and educating communities about risks.—
Anton L. Delgado,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Such an agreement would require battling — and even dismantling — an entrenched and incompetent bureaucracy to speed up economic reforms, and getting rid of old-school historic commanders and everyone else in the government, the Communist Party and the top military echelons standing in the way.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
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From the upper echelons of global logistics to the cutting edge of industrial energy, this week’s business landscape is defined by transition and rapid scaling.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The split decision came after tense deliberations, with jurors initially sent back after one member broke ranks during polling, forcing further discussion before a final verdict was reached.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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The effect of computers on the top ranks of the game has been different but no less profound.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Castes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castes. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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