LOWER CLASS Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

lower-class

adjective

ˌlō-ər-ˈklas

Definition of lower-class

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

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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 But new research is shedding light on what life was like for middle- and lower-class residents. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 20 July 2026 The franchise centers around a dystopian nation called Panem, where rich and authoritarian leaders force twelve lower-class districts to submit two children to fight in a deadly, and televised, battle every year. — Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026 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

Adjective

Jaguar also built a car with long, low proportions that are unique in its segment and required a new platform.

— Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026
Set the scene For a hotel with some of the priciest rooms in the city, Capella Bangkok feels decidedly low key.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 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

Bellow felt an affinity with Kennedy’s combination of low-life high jinks, human frailty, and virtuoso style.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of low-life

Adjective

While the house is bursting with artwork that would make most museum curators envious, Herman’s home is surprisingly humble, built on a tight budget from prosaic materials.

— Marissa Gluck, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
In the ultimate model-off-duty moment, Gigi Hadid was seen wearing a humble zig-zag headband—the quintessential late-'90s and early-2000s hair accessory.

— Marci Robin, Allure, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of humble

Adjective

Now, the Raiders’ wins so far have come against the lowly Miami Dolphins, Chargers and New Orleans Saints, so this 3-0 start may turn out to be a bit of a mirage.

— Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
That robs the Giants of two of their headlining players and increases the difficulty to get results, even against a lowly team like the 0-2 Titans.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of lowly

Adjective

The Chiefs went on to emerge victorious 24-10, but like the offense, the defense’s focus now will be identifying how an inferior team that lost its star player early managed to stay involved until late in the fourth quarter.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026
The same can be said for TCU’s offense as well after the past two games against inferior opponents.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of inferior

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lower

lower-class

lowered

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“Lower-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lower-class. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of lower-class

adjective

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