inferior 1 of 2

Definition of inferiornext
1
as in lower
situated lower down creatures that inhabit the dark, inferior depths of the ocean

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard an inferior science textbook that was out-of-date the day that it was published

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 inferior
Noun
Someone briskly assessing workmanship or disparaging a social inferior? — Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026 That comes to the Philippines in the form of war, as well as through the invocation, or establishment, of American-style modes of government and education that place Filipinos along this racial hierarchy, identifying them as these inferiors that need to be taught how to govern themselves. — Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
In theory, charging consumers more for an increasingly inferior product is not a sound strategy. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Far from inferior, these trees, which can look like pines with long droopy needles and reddish-orange flowers, host a large diversity of bugs beyond Swiftiephylys, creating a popular hangout for the six-legged beasts. — Brad Balukjian, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inferior
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inferior
Noun
  • Investigators have accused one of his subordinates of running a fraud scheme, though Kravchenko himself has not been charged or named a suspect.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Additionally, while there are government rules against federal employees accepting gifts from subordinates or officials who make less than themselves, subordinates are not barred from receiving gifts from superiors.
    — Kristin Brown, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Despite those lower court rulings, the practice has continued nationally, said Gregory Chen, the senior director of government relations for the Immigration Lawyers Association.
    — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 3 Sep. 2025
  • And ultimately, the Supreme Court overruled those lower court rulings and did declare the embryos as children qualifying under the wrongful death statute.
    — Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024
Adjective
  • But there’s no reason for alarm; none of the pitchers drafted by the Marlins in July were used in a minor-league game.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The front camera uses a 135-degree field of view, which introduces minor edge distortion, but that's the price for capturing a broad swath of the road ahead.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Each team's lone victory this season came in blowout fashion over West Georgia of the lower-tier Football Championship Subdivision.
    — Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The result was a masterclass in color and texture worn with a high-low attitude.
    — Minty Mellon, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Laying an egg against the Raiders in Year 3 of the Harbaugh era is unacceptable.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Kip Dellinger Santa Monica The type of play by the Chargers on Sunday was completely unacceptable, lackluster and disappointing for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Even lesser-scale incidents like the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal and the Volkswagen emissions scandal erode trust in the institutions that help make our society possible and push it forward.
    — Lindsey Witmer Collins, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Toronto’s Fred VanVleet appears to be the top target, but Miami’s Kyle Lowry, Utah’s Mike Conley and, perhaps to a lesser extent, Charlotte’s Terry Rozier have been linked to the team at various points.
    — Staff Writer Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • Renovation will only yield temporary improvement unless the original cause of a poor-quality lawn is remedied.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The consequences of a poor performance in the takeaway department sets a very high standard for rookies, something that can only bode well for the future.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • What the movie does offer is an ending that is downright mean.
    — Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Even in the hotter scenario, the warmest summer months at Hell Creek peaked at around 33°, with mean annual temperatures near 21°.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 20 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Inferior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inferior. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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