1
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
2
as in decent
of average to below average quality
it's only a second-class restaurant and not worth the high prices
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of second-class
Vera, the daughter of a Russian father and Korean mother, may be banished to second-class citizenry.
—
Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
These come in first- and second-class options across all age categories.
—Lyndsey Matthews, AFAR Media, 2 July 2025
On one hand, Serena was part of this world where women were considered less than second-class citizens, and those that were fertile were used by married Gilead couples as incubators for children that were a product of rape, amid a fertility crisis.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 22 June 2025
Which isn’t to say that reality TV has entirely shed its second-class reputation — as the reaction to White demonstrated.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-class
Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
These come in first- and second-class options across all age categories.
—Lyndsey Matthews, AFAR Media, 2 July 2025
On one hand, Serena was part of this world where women were considered less than second-class citizens, and those that were fertile were used by married Gilead couples as incubators for children that were a product of rape, amid a fertility crisis.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 22 June 2025
Which isn’t to say that reality TV has entirely shed its second-class reputation — as the reaction to White demonstrated.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-class
Recent Examples of Synonyms for second-class
Adjective
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In this now-infamous opinion, Taney declared that Black Americans were inferior and had no rights under the US Constitution.—
Kathleen Toner,
CNN Money,
1 Aug. 2025
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The creation of a tunnel that could bypass the most congested areas on the way to BNA would make the conventional route comparatively inferior.—
Charles Singh,
The Tennessean,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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Young and the offense may only get one series of work — head coach Dave Canales only wants that unit to play 8-12 plays, and all of that could be eaten up with a decent first drive.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Aug. 2025
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Only a few Braves have been good at it, and too many of them cost the team repeatedly in close games when merely decent RISP hitting would make a difference.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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While two people are said to have been seriously injured, the others are being treated for minor injuries, according to Xinhua.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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In April, the government quietly revoked the visas of thousands of students who had allegedly committed minor legal infractions before abruptly reversing the policy.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Ultimately, through saving each other, Seong-A and Gyeon-U reclaim their humanity and return to an ordinary life of youth.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Trump’s trade wars are also putting a strain on the economy, forcing ordinary Americans to pay tariff taxes on everything from cars to zucchinis.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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She's known in the sport around the state as Big D — and for her mean two-handed backhand.—
La Risa R. Lynch,
jsonline.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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One is a mysterious young woman with some mean kung fu skills who has just arrived from China in the Italian capital in search of her missing sister; the other is the son of an indebted local restaurant owner who has disappeared with his lover.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Development of the two latter categories is not particularly satisfactory, Hugo Boss conceded.—
Cathrin Schaer,
Footwear News,
5 Aug. 2025
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Those sellers must be enrolled in a production services program, have a report showing the animals producing their milk have been tested for pathogens and have a satisfactory farm water test on file.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Available in silver or gold, the trio includes small, medium, and large sculptural hoops that feel both trend-forward and timeless.—
Lauren Alexis Fisher,
Footwear News,
7 Aug. 2025
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The administration of the plant was offered as an investment project in 2021, according to a document by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment. Micro, small and medium enterprises Agencia Importadora Caribe Surl, an importing company.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In a season of parity and mediocre first-place teams, the Mariners are trying to set themselves apart.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
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And prospects are mediocre for the coming months, given the 15% tariff, or import tax, imposed on European goods in the U.S. under the EU-U.S. trade deal announced Sunday.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Second-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second-class. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.
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