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Meaning of inferior in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˌɪnˈfɪriər/

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  1. Classifying Adjective

    inferior

    Definitions

    1. inferior in rank or status

    Examples

    • « the junior faculty »
    • « a lowly corporal »
    • « petty officialdom »
    • « a subordinate functionary »

    Synonyms

    • junior
  2. 2. lower than a given reference point

    Examples

    • « inferior alveolar artery »

    Synonyms

    • bottom(a)
  3. 3. falling short of some prescribed norm

    Examples

    • « substandard housing »

    Synonyms

    • nonstandard
  4. Noun

    inferior

    Definitions

    1. one of lesser rank or station or quality

    Antonyms

    • superior
    • higher-up
    • superordinate
  5. 2. a character or symbol set or printed or written beneath or slightly below and to the side of another character

    Antonyms

    • superscript
    • superior
  6. Qualitative Adjective

    inferior

    Etymology

    late Middle English (in inferior (sense 2 of the adjective)): from Latin, comparative of inferus‘low’

    Definitions

    1. of or characteristic of low rank or importance

    Synonyms

    • humble
    • low
    • lowly
    • modest
    • small
    • indifferent
    • less
    • lower
    • low-level
    • middle-level
    • outclassed

    Antonyms

    • superior
  7. 2. of low or inferior quality

    Synonyms

    • bad
    • base
    • bum
    • cheap
    • cheesy
    • chintzy
    • crummy
    • punk
    • sleazy
    • tinny
    • bush-league
    • bush
    • cardboard
    • flimsy
    • cheapjack
    • shoddy
    • tawdry
    • coarse
    • common
    • coarsened
    • commercial
    • deplorable
    • execrable
    • miserable
    • woeful
    • wretched
    • less
    • low-grade
    • mediocre
    • poor
    • second-rate
    • ropey
    • ropy
    • scrawny
    • scrubby
    • stunted
    • second-class
    • utility(a)
    • utility-grade
    • third-rate

    Antonyms

    • superior
  8. 3. written or printed below and to one side of another character

    Antonyms

    • adscript
    • superscript
    • superior
  9. 4. having an orbit between the sun and the Earth's orbit

    Examples

    • « Mercury and Venus are inferior planets »

    Antonyms

    • superior

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