as in public
the body of the community as contrasted with the elite
"I pay no attention to the opinions of the hoi polloi," the writer sniffed
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Recent Examples of hoi polloi
The Center has also opened overflow space elsewhere on the second floor for Writers Studio members in the morning, before the hoi polloi of the general membership arrive.
—
Brendan O'Connor, Curbed, 17 Nov. 2025
Kapalua Bay Villas has deluxe one and two-bedroom villas perched on sunny, secluded Kapaula Bay, far from the hoi polloi.
—Ben Davidson Correspondent, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2025
Colbert has sober Catholic suits and an in-studio audience of the local hoi polloi.
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 15 July 2025
Dog breeding began in order to segregate what were seen as the best exemplars of the species from the canid hoi polloi.
—Alexandra Horowitz, The New Yorker, 24 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for hoi polloi
Brendan O'Connor, Curbed, 17 Nov. 2025
Kapalua Bay Villas has deluxe one and two-bedroom villas perched on sunny, secluded Kapaula Bay, far from the hoi polloi.
—Ben Davidson Correspondent, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2025
Colbert has sober Catholic suits and an in-studio audience of the local hoi polloi.
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 15 July 2025
Dog breeding began in order to segregate what were seen as the best exemplars of the species from the canid hoi polloi.
—Alexandra Horowitz, The New Yorker, 24 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for hoi polloi
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoi polloi
people
Plural Noun
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Seeking offense, New York plans to designate Tommy Pham for assignment and has agreed to a major league contract with Austin Slater, a pair of people familiar with the move said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the decisions were not announced.—
Ronald Blum,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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The attack threw into chaos one of Washington’s premier social events, which every year attracts some of the country’s most powerful people and the journalists who cover them.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hoi polloi.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoi%20polloi. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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