MIDDLE CLASS Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

middle-class 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of middle-class

as in poor

belonging to the class of people of middle social or economic rank She grew up in a middle-class neighborhood, as did most of her classmates.

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middle class

2 of 2

noun

as in working class

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Dissimilar Words

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 middle-class

Adjective

The newspaper doubled down over the weekend, reporting that Beckett and Ranganathan had made jokes about Acaster’s middle-class background. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026 With housing costs a top concern among Californians, voters casting their ballots in the November election are considering a multi-billion dollar plan that aims to help prospective middle-class homebuyers by offering down payment assistance. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

Noun

To the middle class and moderate liberals, the Communists were terrorists and far more visibly a threat to the state than the Nazis. — Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026 During his first two terms, a commodities boom helped lift millions of Brazilians out of poverty and into the middle class. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for middle-class

Recent Examples of Synonyms for middle-class

Adjective

Nearby residents have argued that the large apartment complex will be a poor fit for their neighborhood, citing concerns about traffic congestion and fire department access, among other things.

— Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
The Lions’ high-flying offense is at its best on turf, not nearly as fast on grass, and their poor red zone defense has been an issue.

— Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of poor

Noun

That working class people live with paucity of choice, and of chances, may be considered from the outside as a moral and social ill to be reckoned with, but Betty correctly sees that this is the fact of her life and behaves and thinks accordingly.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026
Vang also held some of her largest leads among younger voters, Latino voters and those who described themselves as working class.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of working class

Noun

There is possibly no better example of foods that are anti-bourgeoisie than sandwiches and hot dogs, which means Wheeler’s recent career shift makes a lot of sense.

— Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026
Wilde stars with and directs a stellar trio — Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton — in an anxiety-inducing drama of a dinner party between a pair of extremely differing yet similarly bourgeoisie couples.

— Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of bourgeoisie

Adjective

Cutforth found a wide-open Riley with a simple swing pass out to the left, giving the junior running back plenty of space to showcase his speed and beat several Rams defensive backs to find the end zone.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Nov. 2026
Made of large, rigid plastic panels, Hardig’s invention was designed to be weather- and insect-proof, simple to clean and maintain, and lightweight and easy to move.

— Sarah Kuta, Popular Science, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of simple

Adjective

Still, Becerra, who grew up in a working-class immigrant family, has shown a personal interest in allying with organized labor.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
The 40-year-old Crowley also talked about his own experience growing up in poverty and with working-class parents who battled substance abuse and mental health issues during the city's crack-cocaine epidemic.

— Maayan Silver, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of working-class

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middle-agers

middle-class

middle class

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Middle-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/middle-class. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of middle-class

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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