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
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
Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
View Photos These plebeian sedans don't exhibit the manic price inflation seen in much of the automotive market.
—Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 4 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for plebeian
Adjective
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
Noun
Skeptics might shrug their shoulders at this plebeian fare.
—Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
View Photos These plebeian sedans don't exhibit the manic price inflation seen in much of the automotive market.
—Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 4 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for plebeian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plebeian
Adjective
-
Avoid puddles - Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Steeper declines were also seen in people with lower incomes, less education, and those living in nonmetropolitan areas.1 Women and individuals with higher education levels were the most likely to read for pleasure—but their habits are shifting.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Health,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Fundamentally, the proletarian forfeits not so much income as individual freedom and the sovereignty of his or her class.—
Benjamin Kunkel,
Harpers Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
The same grace was not extended to the dozens of collateral princes and princesses, who were stripped of their royal status and rendered commoners.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
-
Once reserved for aristocrats, these menageries opened to the public in the 17th and 18th centuries; commoners could also attend performances hosted by itinerant showmen who traveled from town to town with exotic species in tow.—
Shoshi Parks,
Smithsonian Magazine,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
This includes the humble Kerner, a grape that has Riesling-like qualities.—
Tom Hyland,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Corden had called Ayres shortly after the game just to congratulate the goalie — the host and performer saw a little of his own story as a humble middle-class son of a Bible salesman who’d put in the hard work and was touched by fate.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Instead of following his gut like some unenlightened pleb, Patrick trusts his spleen and his spleen alone.—
Laura Bradley,
Vulture,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Occasionally, like tonight, a chiseled pleb or square-jawed gym owner will pass muster, taking her to some exclusive club in Tribeca.—
Seija Rankin,
EW.com,
29 Apr. 2021
Adjective
-
This is an ignoble plan that cites dubious science while elevating the entertainment of a handful of hunters over the revulsion of most Floridians.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 July 2025
-
My focus is down to the ignoble little health annoyances that seem to cap and even eclipse a major setback.—
John Updike,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Last season was another tough one despite making the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the lowly Eastern Conference.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
-
There were surprises in store as Atlético Madrid crashed to a 2-1 defeat away to Espanyol and lowly Getafe, with not even a full squad of players available, beat Celta Vigo 2-0 on the road.—
Sam Leveridge,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
While others have celebrated his choice to present himself as an everyman, many on the conservative side of the aisle – and in the media–saw this as a slight to President Donald Trump.—
Brett F. Braley-Palko,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Once celebrated for his role as the curious everyman, Rogan began to shift after hosting Trump in the lead-up to the 2024 election.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plebeian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plebeian. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share