inferiority

[ in-feer-ee-awr-i-tee, -or- ]

noun

1. the quality or state of being lesser or lower in rank, position, quality, etc.:

   Negative perceptions about the inferiority of generic drugs compared to brand name drugs were more pronounced among some segments of the studied population.

2. the quality or state of feeling less important, valuable, or worthy:

   The youth center was founded on the belief that youth violence is a product of various social and economic factors that contribute to feelings of inferiority, powerlessness, and hopelessness.

Word History and Origins

Origin of inferiority¹

First recorded in 1580–90; inferior ( def ) + -ity ( def )

Example Sentences

The myriad accomplishments by Black Americans in the face of the oppressive conditions of slavery and racial hierarchy openly defied stereotypes of their inferiority.

From Salon

Gisèle and her lawyers also discussed whether Dominique might have been suffering from an inferiority complex due to an affair she had with a coworker, a perceived difference in social status between them or the fact that she had a loving childhood and he didn't.

From BBC

It also bars streamers from making content which "expresses inferiority based on a protected characteristic".

From BBC

The setbacks suffered by both Iran and its proxies “underscore intelligence and operational inferiority coupled with Israel’s willingness to move up the escalation ladder,” said Ali Vaez, head of the Iran project at the International Crisis Group.

From Los Angeles Times

Just as that designation of Africans as “native tribes” instead of “nations” or “peoples” denied them both sovereignty and human rights, so the British century witnessed eight empires subjecting nearly half of humanity to colonial rule premised on racial inferiority.

From Salon

Related Words

• inadequacy