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.

For much of its history printmaking has been relegated to second-class citizenship, with works that are viewed as less than equal to one-offs in other media.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

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

Public transportation was just one arena in which North Carolina blacks contested second-class status.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

second-class

Example Sentences

Related Words