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 In the generation preceding Parton, women were generally treated as second-class artists. — Tom Roland, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2026 Porky Pig and Daffy Duck aren’t celebrities but second-class citizens forced to order their shoddy goods from Acme, a monopoly that ships everything in oddly familiar blue and brown boxes. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 In many Muslim nations, women are treated as second-class citizens. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026 Harari and many proponents of the ethical view of affective sentientism want suffering to be the defining criterion that protects conscious beings from becoming second-class citizens to intelligent machines. — Andréa Morris, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for second-class

Recent Examples of Synonyms for second-class

Adjective

The Heat has also benefitted from some inferior opponents, as its three wins during the West Coast trip came against teams in the Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings and Jazz that had one win at the time of the matchup.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026
Many medical experts consider the drops inferior for several reasons, including those mentioned in the handout.

— Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of inferior

Adjective

Even the smallest Essential rooms are a decent size; some, such as Poolside, have a generous, curved balcony overlooking the action below.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026
Much of that growth is expected to occur on the north, south and east sides of the city, where there’s still a decent amount of open space.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of decent

Adjective

Raymar Fraser, 41, was arrested and charged with kidnapping, battery, and interfering with the custody of a minor.

— Abby Dodge, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
Left-hander Braxton Garrett is out of minor-league options and must be on the pitching staff in some capacity.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of minor

Adjective

Thus a sibling rivalry is born — turns out that Cinderella is also the mean stepsister that somebody else hates.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 Nov. 2026
In addition, the current El Niño is expected to continue into early 2027 and boost annual global mean temperatures.

— Oliver Trapnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Nov. 2026

Definition of mean

Adjective

Why not, then, return to 2016 spending amounts which seemed satisfactory at the time?

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Harriot quickly found a convenient formula for how many were arranged in a square pyramid based on the number in the bottom row and was able to present Raleigh with a satisfactory solution.

— Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of satisfactory

Adjective

The then-44-year-old actor was sent to Reading Prison, a medium-security lockup, because authorities felt a minimum-security jail would have provided too easy access for reporters.

— Mark Kennedy, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
Hydrating Cream Hairbath is a rich, creamy shampoo that gently cleanses while restoring softness, bounce, and shine to dry, damaged, medium to thick hair.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of medium

Adjective

They were blown out 31-3 by Ole Miss, lost to what's clearly a mediocre Mississippi State team, though at least that was with Kamario Taylor, but their big win over Florida now looks much less impressive considering the Gators' collapse.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
The best, the least mediocre, unfortunately, is Tadao Ando, the better of whose work derives from Kahn, the plain modular rectangles made of concrete framed by verticals and, less clear even in Kahn, the geometric cuts and sections.

— Julian Rose, Artforum, 1 Nov. 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 15 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of second-class

adjective

Example Sentences

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