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.

Under segregation, black Americans generally shared a common experience of being second-class citizens.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

It was at a few after-hours music jam sessions with his co-workers that they got to talking about how in the world of AI audio had become “a second-class citizen.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

A gifted orator, Jackson articulated the frustrations of those who felt like second-class citizens in the world's most prosperous democracy.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

“You can’t go to university with a second-class pass, can you?”

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane

second-class

Example Sentences

Related Words