as in subordinate
one who is of lower rank and typically under the authority of another
she is nice to her inferiors as well as to her superiors
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Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in lower
situated lower down
creatures that inhabit the dark, inferior depths of the ocean
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in minor
of little or less value or merit
a girl who has always felt inferior to her older sister
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in low
belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank
at one time, the upper crust liked to believe that inferior people were fit only to be servants
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4
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
an inferior science textbook that was out-of-date the day that it was published
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5
as in lesser
having not so great importance or rank as another
an inferior officer cannot strike a superior under any circumstances
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6
as in poor
of low quality
inferior chocolate candy that no serious chocolate lover would think of eating
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inferior
June 27, CBS News, 27 June 2025
Under that clause, only principal officers, appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, or inferior officers under those principal officers, can set such policies.
—ArsTechnica, 27 June 2025
And they were made to think of themselves as essentially inferior.
—Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 21 June 2025
Gordon found that line of reasoning plausible, stating that Hamby’s trade experience is comparable to an employee being transferred to an inferior job.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inferior
Adjective
The court ruled 6-3 in finding that the task force members are inferior officers, whose appointment by the head of Health and Human Services is consistent with the Constitution's Appointments Clause.
—June 27, CBS News, 27 June 2025
Under that clause, only principal officers, appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, or inferior officers under those principal officers, can set such policies.
—ArsTechnica, 27 June 2025
And they were made to think of themselves as essentially inferior.
—Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 21 June 2025
Gordon found that line of reasoning plausible, stating that Hamby’s trade experience is comparable to an employee being transferred to an inferior job.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inferior
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inferior
Noun
-
The disclosure appears to rule out problems with the company’s accounting, mishandling of day-to-day business or questionable conduct with a subordinate.—
Alexander Coolidge,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
That claim by President Trump and his subordinates seems at once overblown and beside the point.—
Andrew C. McCarthy,
National Review,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Lower gas demand amid increasing supply has led to lower pump prices.—
Frank Witsil,
Detroit Free Press,
19 June 2023
Adjective
-
Besides the home advantage, Pia Sundhage’s side had a minor edge on goal difference, which meant a draw would be enough for them.—
Neel Shelat,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
If some minor differences related to your job occur today, don’t let this get in the way of happy times with others.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
6 July 2025
-
Trim the lower branches of your hydrangea to allow air to circulate at ground level.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
The use of unilateral sanctions against Special Rapporteurs or any other UN expert or official is unacceptable.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
-
Students, both the ones who behave and the ones who misbehave, need to know that there are real consequences for unacceptable behavior.—
Carrie Lukas,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
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
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The story of 2022 (and 2021 to a lesser extent) was energy.—
Nicole Goodkind,
CNN,
31 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
But August is perhaps a poor month in which to rally the staff.—
John Updike,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
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For certain situations, particularly if someone is in poor health, experts generally say claiming early makes sense.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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The World Meteorological Association has said global mean near-surface temperatures are expected to remain at, or near, record levels for the next five years.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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The series of short social media videos follows Chit, a slightly awkward and slightly hunched office worker who sports a mean bowl cut and Jeffrey Dahmer-style glasses.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inferior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inferior. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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