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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of second-class
The days of Southern Black Christians submitting to second-class treatment in the house of the Lord had ended.
—
Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
Anne Madarasz, chief historian and director of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center, says Woodruff was one of just 18 Black athletes who traveled to Berlin that year to represent a country that, in many ways, still treated them as second-class citizens.
—Christopher Derose, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026
Mindanaoans had felt like second-class Filipinos for longer than the country had been independent.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Women are second-class citizens and must cover their hair and wear loose-fitting clothing in all public spaces.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for second-class
Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
Anne Madarasz, chief historian and director of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center, says Woodruff was one of just 18 Black athletes who traveled to Berlin that year to represent a country that, in many ways, still treated them as second-class citizens.
—Christopher Derose, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026
Mindanaoans had felt like second-class Filipinos for longer than the country had been independent.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Women are second-class citizens and must cover their hair and wear loose-fitting clothing in all public spaces.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for second-class
Recent Examples of Synonyms for second-class
Adjective
-
Husbands are also inferior house cleaners.—
Joe Salas
May 09,
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
-
Though Rogers is Christian, his story of transformation from weakling to hero certainly spoke to young Jewish boys and men, who were often inaccurately portrayed in the media and press as intellectually superior but physically inferior.—
Miriam Eve Mora,
The Conversation,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
England, in theory, have players who can offer a decent facsimile of this (Elliot Anderson and Ezri Konsa, in particular), but Tuchel seems inclined to build his England squad around striker and captain Harry Kane over anyone else.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
Madrid has failed to win a single major honor since Mbappé arrived at the club, and despite having a decent season based on statistics, there are calls from some Madrid fans to sell their star man.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
After seeking out a nearby fishmonger and calculating what this ingredient would cost me (a precious $30 per pound), I was left with a minor headache.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 May 2026
-
Richards opened the season in Philadelphia’s minor-league system, made nine appearances at the Triple-A level, was called up to the parent club on April 30 and pitched twice for the Phillies before he was traded to the Sox on Tuesday.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
By evening, the Aries Moon moves through your 9th House of Expansion, stirring adventure, passion, and plans that stretch beyond the ordinary.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
-
But there is a big difference between ordinary political competition and a coordinated national effort to purge state lawmakers for exercising independent judgment on a matter before their own legislature.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
Rob-Will, don’t be mean to our BFF Azul!—
William Earl,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
With a mix of personalities, relationship histories and different forms of dwarfism, the group explores what love, honesty and truly belonging really mean.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier subpoenaed the NFL on Wednesday after the league failed to provide a satisfactory response to the Republican official’s concerns about diversity hiring practices.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
13 May 2026
-
And the Anza-Borrego Foundation that opposes the power line going through any portion of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park told the Union-Tribune that undergrounding the line within the park is not a satisfactory solution.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Available in small, medium and large, this paw cleaner has silicone bristles that remove dirt from muddy paws.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
-
Uncover, increase heat to medium, and cook until excess liquid is evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes.—
Jed Portman,
Midwest Living,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The filmmaker’s choice to allow small details, like his mother spending a month’s salary for photos of her children (especially when the photos are somewhat mediocre), is a very effective way to highlight the lengths people go just to remember.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
-
Bibby revamped the roster and coaching staff before this past season in an effort to jump start a program that had been mediocre or worse for decades.—
Joe Davidson
May 7,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Second-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second-class. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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