lower in station, rank, degree, or grade (often fol. by to )

a rank inferior to colonel.

lower in place or position; closer to the bottom or base

descending into the inferior regions of the earth.

of comparatively low grade; poor in quality; substandard

an inferior product.

less important, valuable, or worthy

B+ bonds are inferior to AAA bonds.

acting or performing in a way that is comparatively poor or mediocre

an inferior observer of human nature.

Botany .

situated below some other organ.

(of a calyx) inserted below the ovary.

(of an ovary) having a superior calyx.

Anatomy . (of an organ or part)

lower in place or position; situated beneath another.

toward the feet. Compare superior ( def. 9 ) .

Astronomy . lying below the horizon

the inferior part of a meridian.

Printing . written or printed low on a line of text, as the 2 in H 2 O; subscript. Compare superior ( def. 10 ) .

a person inferior to another or others, as in rank or merit.

Also called subscript. Printing . a letter, number, or symbol written or printed low on a line of text. Compare superior ( def. 12 ) .

adjective

best , better , extraordinary , first-class , first-rate , foremost , superior

noun

superior , equal , peer

adjective

back seat , bottom , bottom-rung , entry-level , junior , less , lesser , lower , menial , minor , minus , nether , peon , second , secondary , second-banana , second-fiddle , second-string , smaller , subjacent , subordinate , subsidiary , under , underneath , average , bad , base , common , dclass , fair , good-for-nothing * , hack * , imperfect , indifferent , junk * , lemon * , lousy , low-grade , low-rent , mean , mediocre , middling , ordinary , paltry , poorer , sad , second-class , sorry * , substandard , tawdry , two-bit * , worse , wretched , low , minor-league , petty , small , subaltern , low-quality , second-rate , shabby , subnormal , suboptimal

noun

adherent , attendant , auxiliary , deputy , disciple , follower , hanger-on , hireling , junior , menial , minion , minor , peon , satellite , second banana * , subaltern , subject , subordinate , sycophant , underling , secondary , base , below , bum , cheap , common , cull , feeble , impure , inadequate , inferiority , jerrybuilt , less , lesser , lower , mediocre , mediocrity , nether , petty , poor , second-rate , shoddy , subalternation , subnormality , subordination , substandard , underneath , unequal , unworthy , worst