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falling short of a standard an inferior science textbook that was out-of-date the day that it was published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

5
6

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
  • Structural inflation, fueled by government deficits, AI investments, low unemployment rates, growing trade barriers and energy disruptions, is reshaping the landscape for markets, according to Fidelity International.
    Justina Lee, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The low-molecular-weight collagen seeps into your skin as an in-office treatment would, reducing the size of pores and lifting saggy, crepey skin.
    Essence Wiley, InStyle, 26 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
  • The petition argues Mays’ language during the trial revealed something deeper than a poor defense strategy — a worldview that dehumanized the man he was supposed to defend.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • There remains work to be done, as evidenced by their poor showing in last Thursday’s 41-17 preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
    Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 24 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The Nuggets need to get younger, longer and meaner around that veteran trio, and ASAP.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Among the former players whose brains were donated, the mean age at death was around 66 years old, meaning most of their professional football careers took place before 2005, when CTE was first diagnosed in a former NFL player.
    Becky Sullivan, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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