elite

菁英、精英、上层阶级常与 the 连用

A small elite controls most of the country's wealth.

少数菁英掌控了这个国家大部分的财富。

权贵、当权阶层常用复数、含贬义

Voters are tired of being ignored by the political elites.

选民早已厌倦被政治权贵忽视。

顶尖的、一流的、菁英的

Only elite athletes can finish the race in under three hours.

只有顶尖运动员才能在三小时内跑完这场比赛。

精锐的军事

An elite unit was sent in to rescue the hostages.

一支精锐部队被派去营救人质。

权贵的、上层的贬义

His elite background makes it hard for him to understand ordinary workers.

他出身权贵，很难理解一般劳工的处境。