The Intelligentsia is a term often used to describe an elite intellectual class within society. Synonyms for the intelligentsia include the intellectual elite, the cognoscenti, the literati, the academic community, the elite intelligentsia, the scholarly class, and the educated elite. The term is often used to refer to those individuals who have gained knowledge through extensive reading and study, as well as those who have pursued an advanced education. These individuals are often seen as being highly intelligent and sophisticated and are often associated with art, literature, politics, and academia. Regardless of the synonym used, the intelligentsia is a group of individuals who hold significant influence and power in their respective fields.