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
So Carlos really focused on Saeki’s inferiority complex.
—
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for inferiority complex 
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for inferiority complex
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.
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 4 Nov. 2024.
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