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
An inferiority complex might just sound like another one of those overused, relatable buzzwords.
—
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 16 July 2025
The first game nerves on serve were part of a bigger inferiority complex.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Teams kicking off like this in prior decades often had an inferiority complex.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Judaism that tries to be alive to a changing world has an inferiority complex.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 1 June 2025
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Jenna Ryu, SELF, 16 July 2025
The first game nerves on serve were part of a bigger inferiority complex.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Teams kicking off like this in prior decades often had an inferiority complex.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Judaism that tries to be alive to a changing world has an inferiority complex.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inferiority complex
Cite this Entry
“Inferiority complex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inferiority%20complex. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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