lower-class

adjective

ˌlō-ər-ˈklas How to pronounce lower-class (audio)
Definition of lower-classnext
as in low
belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank they were finally earning enough to get out of the lower-class tax bracket

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 lower-class In recent years, more and more students from lower-class families have been able to attend universities. — The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lower-class
  1. low
  2. plebeian
  3. proletarian
  4. low-life
  5. humble
  6. lowly
  7. poor
  8. inferior
Adjective
  • Those groups also have lower access to drugs that can stop the transmission of HIV.
    — Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
  • Last winter was the second-warmest on record, according to the city’s ordinance, with record low snowpack almost everywhere.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026
Definition of low
Adjective
  • Linen and cotton, cooling garments, were too plebeian; the people posed nobly for street-style social-media accounts in leather jackets and low-slung jorts.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 27 June 2026
  • This one is about a regular old guy, a hedge knight in the plebeian population of Westeros, just trying to get by in a world that isn't kind to the common and poor.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 13 Jan. 2026
Definition of plebeian
Adjective
  • But West Virginia is a proletarian locale that until not long ago was a Democratic stronghold.
    — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
  • These ranged from the aristocratic elite who dominated the military and bureaucracy and yearned for a return to monarchy, to communists who sought proletarian rule, to the National Socialists who wanted to establish a right-wing dictatorship.
    — Time, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Definition of proletarian
Adjective
  • The president can be assured that his low-life actions will eliminate him as a candidate to get to Heaven.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Inside, everything was magically transformed into a 1930s Parisian low-life dive.
    — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of low-life
Adjective
  • Teoscar Hernández was back from a hamstring injury, and a little bit humble.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • America's favorite investment has changed over time In 2008, as the Great Recession descended, Americans picked the humble savings account (and the certificate of deposit) as their favorite long-term investment in Gallup polls.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Definition of humble
Adjective
  • The Blues finished a lowly 10th in the Premier League table last season.
    — Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • Miller added that not only was Movie Night back, but us lowly fans are its curators.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 June 2026
Definition of lowly
Adjective
  • Overflowing poor drainage areas in urban areas of northwest Hickory and in the Northlakes area of Caldwell County.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026
  • There was a lot of poor decision-making with this match, on and off the pitch.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of poor
Adjective
  • More broadly, the idea that White players are inherently inferior no longer matches reality.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • This is because Austria would have remained on three points but with an inferior goal difference to Iran in the third-place standings (minus one to zero).
    — Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 28 June 2026
Definition of inferior

Browse Nearby Words

lower
lower-class
lowered
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Cite this Entry

“Lower-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lower-class. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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