as in low
belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank
wondered what the people at the country club would think of his plebeian origins
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in proletarian
Related Words
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 plebeian
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024
The other was the much more plebeian Chevrolet Bolt, which was cheaper but nowhere near as luxurious, nor as enjoyable to drive.
—Ars Technica, 30 Aug. 2024
James Grebey, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024
The first is the secession of the plebeians, where commoners staged a walkout in protest of unfair treatment by the ruling class.
—Phil Kirschner, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for plebeian
Adjective
Once upon a time, a doddering old man spoke of a dream about a united city in this empire’s capital, where every man, woman, and child could walk its streets and live a good life regardless of their patrician or plebeian birthright.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024
The other was the much more plebeian Chevrolet Bolt, which was cheaper but nowhere near as luxurious, nor as enjoyable to drive.
—Ars Technica, 30 Aug. 2024
Noun
In the days of the Roman Empire, plebeians and patricians alike entertained themselves by watching men fight to the death.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024
The first is the secession of the plebeians, where commoners staged a walkout in protest of unfair treatment by the ruling class.
—Phil Kirschner, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for plebeian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plebeian
Adjective
-
The Heat was also without Nikola Jovic (low back injury management), Terry Rozier (not with team) and Jahmir Young (G League) on Thursday.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Many unions, for instance, which have their own healthcare plans, might welcome lower drug prices.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On the one hand, the proletarian contributes every bit of on-the-clock activity to the value of the resulting commodity.—
Benjamin Kunkel,
Harpers Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
-
The song, now considered a protest anthem, is about a social revolution in which French proletarians stand against the ruling class — in this case, an oppressive monarchy.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Later that same month, King Charles stripped Andrew of all of his royal titles and privileges, rendering him a commoner.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Duncan defied his father’s wishes and broke off an engagement with Lyonel Baratheon’s daughter to marry a commoner, Jaehaerys and Shaera had a traditionally incestuous Targaryen relationship, and Daeron died in battle.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Kayla is a humble and gracious student who leads with quiet strength and a genuine love for dance.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
-
After pulling off another iconic play Saturday, Reaves had a more humble message.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Instead of following his gut like some unenlightened pleb, Patrick trusts his spleen and his spleen alone.—
Laura Bradley,
Vulture,
13 Aug. 2025
-
But because these monsters have yet to develop any fungal armor, runners are susceptible to gunshots, knives, and any other weaponry that would take out your average pleb.—
Lauren Puckett-Pope,
ELLE,
20 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
But her flame was dimmed for far too long by one ignoble record: having the longest streak in Daytime Emmys history of nominations without a win.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Here, however, Makowsky examines a purely ignoble figure who feels entitled without accomplishing a thing.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In Jodie Foster’s satire-cum-thriller, George Clooney plays a Jim Cramer-ish TV finance guru whose bullish promotion of one stock has led desperate prole Jack O’Connell to lose his life savings, leading to a hostage standoff in the TV studio.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
At the end of January, the day after a loss to the lowly New Orleans Pelicans, Kornet relaunched his blog.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Their 9-16 record in clutch-time games is alongside the likes of the league-worst Sacramento Kings and lowly Brooklyn Nets.—
James Jackson,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plebeian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plebeian. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
