plebeian 1 of 2

Definition of plebeiannext

plebeian

2 of 2

noun

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of plebeian
Adjective
Once upon a time, a doddering old man spoke of a dream about a united city in this empire’s capital, where every man, woman, and child could walk its streets and live a good life regardless of their patrician or plebeian birthright. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024 The other was the much more plebeian Chevrolet Bolt, which was cheaper but nowhere near as luxurious, nor as enjoyable to drive. Ars Technica, 30 Aug. 2024
Noun
In the days of the Roman Empire, plebeians and patricians alike entertained themselves by watching men fight to the death. James Grebey, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024 The first is the secession of the plebeians, where commoners staged a walkout in protest of unfair treatment by the ruling class. Phil Kirschner, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for plebeian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plebeian
Adjective
  • Hien immediately fell to the ground and had to be helped off the pitch with what appeared to be a lower-body injury.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026
  • Wenski’s remarks come as many in South Florida, the heart of the Haitian community in the country, are reeling after the justices reversed a lower court ruling upholding TPS protections for Haitians.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • On the one hand, the proletarian contributes every bit of on-the-clock activity to the value of the resulting commodity.
    Benjamin Kunkel, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The song, now considered a protest anthem, is about a social revolution in which French proletarians stand against the ruling class — in this case, an oppressive monarchy.
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In recent years, more and more students from lower-class families have been able to attend universities.
    The Atlantic, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • He’s been called a thief, a benefactor, a commoner, a lord, a killer and a hero.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
  • Ultimately, Charles stripped his younger brother of all royal titles and privileges in October 2025, rendering him a commoner.
    Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • For an institution that has educated so many American presidents, Nobel laureates and Declaration of Independence signers, Harvard University had a rather humble beginning.
    Joe Yogerst, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
  • Some Wordlers also play Competitive Wordle against friends, family, the Wordle Bot or even against me, your humble narrator.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • Instead of following his gut like some unenlightened pleb, Patrick trusts his spleen and his spleen alone.
    Laura Bradley, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2025
  • But because these monsters have yet to develop any fungal armor, runners are susceptible to gunshots, knives, and any other weaponry that would take out your average pleb.
    Lauren Puckett-Pope, ELLE, 20 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • This is an ignoble war making monsters and fools out of its participants, and against the uncontrollable weapons that are dragons, everyone’s resolve is crumbling.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 June 2026
  • The most memorable, and notorious, moment from the race was the ignoble exit of Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell.
    Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Noun
  • In Jodie Foster’s satire-cum-thriller, George Clooney plays a Jim Cramer-ish TV finance guru whose bullish promotion of one stock has led desperate prole Jack O’Connell to lose his life savings, leading to a hostage standoff in the TV studio.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plebeian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plebeian. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on plebeian

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster