Aristocrat? The French are, say, more aristocratic (6)
I believe the answer is:
nobler
'more aristocratic' is the definition.
('noble' can be similar in meaning to 'aristocratic')
'aristocrat? the french are say' is the wordplay.
'aristocrat?' becomes 'nob' (I've seen this before).
'the french' becomes 'le'.
'are say' becomes 'r' (are sounds like r).
'nob'+'le'+'r'='NOBLER'
(Other definitions for nobler that I've seen before include "More imposing or magnificent" , "'Whether 'tis ... in the mind, to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune''/Hamlet" , "More illustrious" , "More honourable" , "''Whether 'tis ... in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune'' (Hamlet)" .)