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falling short of a standard an inferior science textbook that was out-of-date the day that it was published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
Beating the Titans on the road in Week 1 proved the Jets can take care of business against an inferior opponent. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026 In theory, charging consumers more for an increasingly inferior product is not a sound strategy. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inferior
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inferior
Noun
  • And in the end — like Dick Ebersol — Harry Shearer is only willing to accept a subordinate’s vision if it’s executed to his exact specifications.
    — Blake J. Harris, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Keeping track of scheming or incompetent subordinates has always been the autocrat’s chief burden.
    — Seva Gunitsky, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 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
  • Also, people are putting a little too much play on this whole almost a dance minor thing.
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
  • That seemingly minor detail can have huge consequences for the entire economy.
    — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Budgets have tightened and commissioners have retreated to the familiar — backing low-cost dramas and safe-bet crime formats.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
  • However, the 98,701 figure is the lowest since 1967, when 94,778 arrests were made nationwide, according to Border Patrol data.
    — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The idea of not spending evenings with my kid is, kids are, is completely unacceptable.
    — Michael Birnbaum The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
  • OpenAI took months to discover the incident and notify the Australian agencies affected — that’s unacceptable by my standard.
    — Rumman Chowdhury, Vogue, 13 Oct. 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
  • Europe is expected to have a particularly poor corn harvest and needs larger imports just as its demand for feed remains high.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Reese is known as a poor shooter, and is often mocked for missing easy shots in games.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • For this leaner, meaner Deafheaven, stylistic variety takes a backseat to speed and chaos, and when properly executed, subtle melodic or rhythmic tweaks wield the heft of the more tectonic transitions in the band’s defining songs.
    — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
  • There’s a wide array of options in this oddly-perfect elegant ballroom, along with a specialty chef that whips up a mean omelet before your eyes.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Inferior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inferior. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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