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 The question is whether companies can use the best agents against their own data, with fair economics, full auditability and equivalent access, without paying twice or accepting second-class performance. — Ankit Jain, Forbes.com, 29 May 2026 Other personnel issues include changing the number of first-class patrol officers from 29 to 32 and the number of second-class patrol officers from six to two. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026 Under this new system, women are made second-class citizens meant to serve men, with some, like Elisabeth Moss' June, forced to bear the children of the ruling class. — Tanya Melendez, Entertainment Weekly, 25 May 2026 As the latter became emblematic of comfort and success, the former came to be seen as down-market or second-class. — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for second-class

Recent Examples of Synonyms for second-class

Adjective

There was a time when Irish, Italians, Jews and Chinese who came here were viewed as inferior.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026
Ma married Pa, her social inferior, against her mother’s wishes.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of inferior

Adjective

The Crosstrek also has decent off-road capability as a base model and can easily be enhanced with tires or purchased from the factory as a mean off-roading machine (Crosstrek Wilderness).

— Charles Singh, USA Today, 14 July 2026
Insiders added that the power striker, who also is a decent rapper himself, was on his best behavior.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026

Definition of decent

Adjective

On Thursday, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office charged Ramon with lewd and lascivious acts on a minor, police said.

— Jason Green, Mercury News, 10 July 2026
Many of those convicted committed only minor offenses, such as traffic violations, according to Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse.

— Mathew Miranda July 9, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of minor

Adjective

It was made by rich landowners who owned slaves, and it was designed to protect their power, not give ordinary people a real vote.

— Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2026
Seeing Black children and their families living ordinary yet robust lives in stories undermines negative portrayals.

— Brooke Harris Garad, The Conversation, 14 July 2026

Definition of ordinary

Adjective

Free-flowing tournament favorites versus the tournament’s meanest defense.

— David Hickey, NBC news, 14 July 2026
The Crosstrek also has decent off-road capability as a base model and can easily be enhanced with tires or purchased from the factory as a mean off-roading machine (Crosstrek Wilderness).

— Charles Singh, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Definition of mean

Adjective

The fifth season will have a really hard time wrapping up everything in a satisfactory way at this point.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Kelley said the company believed the existing easement was satisfactory and wasn’t told otherwise until after investing years of work on he project.

— Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026

Definition of satisfactory

Adjective

The airline also offers business class on its Airbus A330s (international long-haul routes) and Boeing 737s (short and medium-haul routes).

— Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2026
The July 19 deadline is for large companies, while medium companies are expected to comply by 2030.

— Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 14 July 2026

Definition of medium

Adjective

Some with the club, however, were concerned that the team’s current 26-8 run, following a disappointing 26-34 start, came mostly against mediocre opponents.

— Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 10 July 2026
Innovative mechanics and a soothing stretch mode make the LiberNovo Omni memorable, but its mediocre support ultimately overshadows its technical achievements.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026

Definition of mediocre

Browse Nearby Words

second childhood

second-class

seconded

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Style

“Second-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second-class. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of second-class

adjective

Example Sentences

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