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inferiority complex
noun
1
: an acute sense of personal inferiority often resulting either in timidity or through overcompensation in exaggerated aggressiveness
2
: a collective sense of cultural, regional, or national inferiority
Examples of inferiority complex in a Sentence
His shyness is the result of an inferiority complex.
Recent Examples on the Web
Everything about the character — from his flamboyant helmet to his luxurious long hair — stems from his inferiority complex regarding his brother.
—
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2024
His construct of a post-civilization fable conveys a weird Down Under exoticism that, since such movies as Walkabout, Outback, The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, and The True History of the Kelly Gang is probably linked to Australia’s penal-colony inferiority complex.
—
Armond White, National Review, 24 May 2024
Perhaps the inferiority complex that attaches to membership in the House versus the Senate also encourages the use of congressman.
—
Daniel Wirls, The Conversation, 16 May 2024
There is no inferiority complex, no crisis of confidence about facing the team that reached the championship game of this tournament a year ago.
—
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inferiority complex ![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-07-26--16-18-58-h04dq/images/svg/redesign/arrow-right-exemplar.svg)
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inferiority complex.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1922, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of inferiority complex was
in 1922
Dictionary Entries Near inferiority complex
Cite this Entry
“Inferiority complex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inferiority%20complex. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Kids Definition
inferiority complex
noun
: a personal sense of being inferior that may be expressed by behavior that is either timid or aggressive
Medical Definition
inferiority complex
noun
: an acute sense of personal inferiority resulting either in timidity or through overcompensation in exaggerated aggressiveness
More from Merriam-Webster on inferiority complex
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about inferiority complex
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