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inferiority complex
noun
1
: an acute sense of personal inferiority often resulting either in timidity or through overcompensation in exaggerated aggressiveness
2
: a collective sense of cultural, regional, or national inferiority
Examples of inferiority complex in a Sentence
His shyness is the result of an inferiority complex.
Recent Examples on the Web
Everything about the character — from his flamboyant helmet to his luxurious long hair — stems from his inferiority complex regarding his brother.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2024
His construct of a post-civilization fable conveys a weird Down Under exoticism that, since such movies as Walkabout, Outback, The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, and The True History of the Kelly Gang is probably linked to Australia’s penal-colony inferiority complex.
—Armond White, National Review, 24 May 2024
Perhaps the inferiority complex that attaches to membership in the House versus the Senate also encourages the use of congressman.
—Daniel Wirls, The Conversation, 16 May 2024
There is no inferiority complex, no crisis of confidence about facing the team that reached the championship game of this tournament a year ago.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024
Law enforcement believes Polito's attack was prompted by an inferiority complex and delusions of grandeur about himself, according to the investigative report.
—Alex Stone, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2024
Two years ago, Halftime portrayed Lopez as struggling against a deep inferiority complex.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2024
Which is to say that Sacramento, once known as ground zero for inferiority complexes in the Golden State, finally seems to be defining itself on its own terms, instead of in comparison to others.
—Chris MacIas and Tim Swanson, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024
Russians have always vacillated between wanting to be included and fearing contamination or corruption, from harboring an inferiority complex to delusions of grandeur.
—Elettra Pauletto, Harper's Magazine, 11 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inferiority complex.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1922, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of inferiority complex was
in 1922
Dictionary Entries Near inferiority complex
Cite this Entry
“Inferiority complex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inferiority%20complex. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Kids Definition
inferiority complex
noun
: a personal sense of being inferior that may be expressed by behavior that is either timid or aggressive
Medical Definition
inferiority complex
noun
: an acute sense of personal inferiority resulting either in timidity or through overcompensation in exaggerated aggressiveness
More from Merriam-Webster on inferiority complex
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about inferiority complex
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