as in low
belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank
wondered what the people at the country club would think of his plebeian origins
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in proletarian
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of plebeian
James Grebey, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024
The first is the secession of the plebeians, where commoners staged a walkout in protest of unfair treatment by the ruling class.
—Phil Kirschner, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
View Photos These plebeian sedans don't exhibit the manic price inflation seen in much of the automotive market.
—Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 4 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for plebeian
Adjective
In the days of the Roman Empire, plebeians and patricians alike entertained themselves by watching men fight to the death.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024
The first is the secession of the plebeians, where commoners staged a walkout in protest of unfair treatment by the ruling class.
—Phil Kirschner, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
Skeptics might shrug their shoulders at this plebeian fare.
—Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
View Photos These plebeian sedans don't exhibit the manic price inflation seen in much of the automotive market.
—Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 4 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for plebeian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plebeian
Adjective
-
Because of its moisture needs, it is best planted near a body of water, such as a pond or streambed, or in low, damp spots.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
6 July 2025
-
Trim the lower branches of your hydrangea to allow air to circulate at ground level.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
Fundamentally, the proletarian forfeits not so much income as individual freedom and the sovereignty of his or her class.—
Benjamin Kunkel,
Harpers Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
-
On the one hand, the proletarian contributes every bit of on-the-clock activity to the value of the resulting commodity.—
Benjamin Kunkel,
Harpers Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Born on a New York farm in 1821, Youmans didn’t come from a notable family or attend elite schools —his name even derives from yeoman, a self-reliant commoner.—
Sabrina Schaeffer,
Oc Register,
4 July 2025
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The princess accompanied her children during the carriage procession of Trooping the Colour wearing an outfit inspired by Eliza Doolittle, the commoner who pretends to be a duchess, in My Fair Lady.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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His work is characterized by deep empathy, personal involvement, and quiet, humble observation.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
10 July 2025
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Other successes like Mark Cuban and Keke Palmer, who similarly came from humble beginnings, echo his frugal habits and anxieties.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Occasionally, like tonight, a chiseled pleb or square-jawed gym owner will pass muster, taking her to some exclusive club in Tribeca.—
Seija Rankin,
EW.com,
29 Apr. 2021
-
But because these monsters have yet to develop any fungal armor, runners are susceptible to gunshots, knives, and any other weaponry that would take out your average pleb.—
Lauren Puckett-Pope,
ELLE,
20 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
My focus is down to the ignoble little health annoyances that seem to cap and even eclipse a major setback.—
John Updike,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
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O’Neal credits the playgrounds of his childhood with giving him instincts on the court and helping instill the resilience to endure what felt like an ignoble start to his career.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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The Red Sox currently lead MLB in errors with 69, narrowly overtaking the lowly Colorado Rockies this week.—
Joey Copponi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
-
His rookie year ended with a rather disappointing negative-yardage effort in a lost to the lowly New York Jets.—
C. Isaiah Smalls II,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2025
Noun
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Odenkirk once again stars as Hutch Mansell, a suburban everyman whose hidden assassin skills kicked into gear following a home invasion.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
13 May 2025
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Few on TV ever have portrayed the everyman better, though with his characteristic modesty, Wendt always directed plaudits to the show’s writers.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plebeian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plebeian. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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