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falling short of a standard an inferior science textbook that was out-of-date the day that it was published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
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
Even after years of inferior sequels and retreads, the pure adrenaline high of Die Hard remains inimitable. Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026 Advertisement Settling for hand sanitizer Hand sanitizer isn’t a lazy or inferior choice in every situation. Angela Haupt, Time, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inferior
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inferior
Noun
  • Impressive Humility with peers, and something else entirely with subordinates.
    Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The subordinate sent a spreadsheet reporting that more than 500,000 work-orders in the MTA system at the time had been closed out despite having no indication the work had been done.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 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
  • That individual, who is a club employee, suffered a minor head injury and refused medical attention at the scene, fire officials said.
    Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Counter said the Bruin’s fire-alarm system is currently monitored, its emergency generator will be tested in the coming weeks, and several minor plumbing issues are being addressed.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Achane will also go from a QB with one of the league’s highest checkdown rates to a QB with one of the lowest.
    Jess Bryant, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • This week, Australian biotechnology company Mesolab announced that its Phase 3 trial of rexlemestrocel-L for chronic low back pain (CLBP) now moves beyond the patient-treatment stage.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Custard said, for the public, all this adds up to unacceptable risk.
    Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026
  • But to build a web of accusations based on false premises and the manipulation of reality in order to attack the Biennale and a film invited to compete is a petty and unacceptable act.
    John Bleasdale, Variety, 19 Aug. 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
  • On the other lies a park in one of the Bronx’s poorest communities, built on the site of the former Yankee Stadium after the old home of the Yankees was torn down in 2009 and 2010.
    Sam Blum, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Iran’s economy was in a dire state before the war too, with poor economic conditions a key driving factor behind the anti-regime demonstrations which kicked off in the Iranian capital city Tehran in 2025.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Surin is a mean, highly physical forward who plays with an edge and is built for playoff hockey.
    Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Gregory drew her as mean, menacing, and thoroughly indifferent to male-centric standards of beauty and decorum.
    Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Inferior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inferior. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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