SECOND-CLASS Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

second-class

adjective

ˈse-kən(d)-ˈklas

Definition of second-class

as in inferior

of little or less value or merit a playwright who produced only second-class work when he turned his hand to poetry

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in decent

of average to below average quality it's only a second-class restaurant and not worth the high prices

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 second-class Muslim residents have long complained of being treated like second-class citizens in Thailand, and separatist movements have been periodically active for decades. — ABC News, 23 July 2026 There, he’s attacked by The Denied, a militia group of non-benders who feel like second-class citizens in this world seeking an old totem of a prior Avatar known as Sonam. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 20 July 2026 Ali refused to fight in the Vietnam War for a country that treated Black people as second-class citizens. — Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 4 June 2026 Today, the resident commissioner is a second-class lawmaker. — Austin Bussing, The Conversation, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for second-class

Recent Examples of Synonyms for second-class

Adjective

Far from inferior, these trees, which can look like pines with long droopy needles and reddish-orange flowers, host a large diversity of bugs beyond Swiftiephylys, creating a popular hangout for the six-legged beasts.

— Brad Balukjian, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2026
Gwyn’s, however, who Richard considers to be his inferior, has jettisoned into success and is in the running for a huge literary prize.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of inferior

Adjective

This is part of WaterAid’s core approach that aims to change lives with clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.

— Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026
If both are out for Week 1, Roschon Johnson would slot into the mid-upper 30s, as a high-volume play not without decent risk.

— Jake Ciely, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of decent

Adjective

Ayari returned to Fabian Hurzeler’s midfield alongside Pascal Gross in Saturday’s 1-1 home draw against Leeds United, having missed the 4-3 defeat at Chelsea with a minor injury.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
All co-defendants are accused of failing to protect a minor and negligence.

— Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of minor

Adjective

McCuin has only good speed and ordinary size, but his route savvy, ball skills and competitive toughness separate him on tape.

— Dane Brugler, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Europol does not keep statistics on nihilistic violent extremism because definitions of it differ and acts can fall into the category of ordinary criminality as well as terrorism.

— Lorne Cook, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of ordinary

Adjective

Not ready for prime time The video-generation technology rarely gets the content right on its first try, Sun said, adding that her team takes at least 10 attempts to create a satisfactory 15-second clip.

— Ling Wei, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
The ride quality in my tester was more than satisfactory; a good thing given the infamous Atlanta traffic.

— Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of satisfactory

Adjective

The Jays will need many moments in the next month to turn this mediocre season into one worth remembering.

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
The mediocre screen was an unpleasant surprise given that this thing advertised 100 percent sRGB gamut coverage when it was announced and on its product page for many weeks (the Internet Archive captures it here).

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of mediocre

Browse Nearby Words

second childhood

second-class

seconded

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“Second-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second-class. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of second-class

adjective

Example Sentences

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