Definitions

second-class

ADJECTIVE

inferior

Synonyms

WEAK

average bad base common déclassé fair good-for-nothing hack imperfect indifferent junk lemon lousy low-grade low-quality low-rent mean mediocre middling ordinary paltry poorer sad second-rate shabby sorry substandard tawdry two-bit worse wretched

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

We are fortunate to have warriors like Crenshaw who refuse to accept second-class status.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

Soon it came to mean tawdry and second-class goods.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

"We've become second-class Swiss citizens," lamented Joana, a 35-year-old mother of two, declining to give her surname for professional reasons.

From Barron's • Oct. 19, 2025

Ms Heathcote added: "Police staff will not tolerate being treated as second-class citizens within their own workplaces and they will take action until they receive the same £1,250 allowance as their colleagues."

From BBC • Oct. 10, 2025

Elizabeth learned more about the second-class status of women when she overheard the female clients who came to beg for help at her father’s law office, which adjoined the main house.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

second-class

Example Sentences

Related Words