as in low
belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank
a self-made Internet magnate who is not at all ashamed of his proletarian background
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as in plebeian
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Recent Examples of proletarian
Rumaan Alam, The New Republic, 21 June 2023
As a proudly class-conscious proletarian, Martin is naturally supportive of worker strikes.
—J. Hoberman, The New York Review of Books, 22 Oct. 2020
Yet modern liberalism fits the modern world of high human capital better than the old rightish model of dim-witted peasants properly led by the aristocracy or the old leftish model of gormless proletarians properly led by The Party.
—The Economist, 8 Jan. 2020
Owing to the extensive use of machinery and to division of labour, the work of the proletarians has lost all individual character, and, consequently, all charm for the workman.
—Tristram Hunt, WSJ, 25 Jan. 2019
The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains.
—Erik Kirschbaum, latimes.com, 3 May 2018
Unlike the proletarians whom Karl Marx exhorted to shed their chains, most people have rather a lot to lose.
—Yascha Mounk, Slate Magazine, 16 Mar. 2017
What if a roving band of mutant proletarians suddenly shows up at the front door?
—John Carl Baker, New Republic, 14 July 2017
Noun
Later in the novel, Hans’s mind turns to the brutality of occupation: If in the course of a five-day plan, 200,000 Berliners were removed by 50,000, these 50,000 proletarians would be fused into a collective by the shock of having killed.
—Rumaan Alam, The New Republic, 21 June 2023
As a proudly class-conscious proletarian, Martin is naturally supportive of worker strikes.
—J. Hoberman, The New York Review of Books, 22 Oct. 2020
Yet modern liberalism fits the modern world of high human capital better than the old rightish model of dim-witted peasants properly led by the aristocracy or the old leftish model of gormless proletarians properly led by The Party.
—The Economist, 8 Jan. 2020
Owing to the extensive use of machinery and to division of labour, the work of the proletarians has lost all individual character, and, consequently, all charm for the workman.
—Tristram Hunt, WSJ, 25 Jan. 2019
The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains.
—Erik Kirschbaum, latimes.com, 3 May 2018
Unlike the proletarians whom Karl Marx exhorted to shed their chains, most people have rather a lot to lose.
—Yascha Mounk, Slate Magazine, 16 Mar. 2017
What if a roving band of mutant proletarians suddenly shows up at the front door?
—John Carl Baker, New Republic, 14 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proletarian
Adjective
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While the current health risk for the general public remains low, people who work with birds, poultry or cows, or have recreational exposure to them, are at higher risk.Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025
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People’s participation in both formal and informal service remains low.Alice Park, TIME, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Its practical function: No one, neither courtier nor plebeian, could stand close to the queen, conspicuous in her splendid isolation.Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
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But an unpleasant incident with a public transit plebeian leads Leighton to ponder the direction of her life.Rachel Seo, Variety, 2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Yet Empire Falls translates into a lumpen, stodgy miniseries, despite a fine central performance from Harris as a divorced diner owner with deep roots in the town and a structure that allows the past to keep informing and enriching the present.Scott Tobias, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2024
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Rhys spent decades, often isolated and paranoid, in lumpen houses and apartments in and out of London, before success arrived late.New York Times, New York Times, 20 June 2022
Noun
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Obasi can’t stand the stench of this alien — who's also a commoner, to boot — and solves the inconvenience by handing him off to his queen Eshe (Thandiwe Newton), who'll raise him in the company of the pride’s females.Tom Gliatto, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024
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What’s more, these sources tend to report the views of the most powerful, concealing dissent—and certainly not paying attention to the attitudes of commoners, as revealed in secondhand incarnations like Wiggo’s tale.Matthew Gabriele, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Bunny Museum began as a humble endeavor back in 1998.Maxwell Williams, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
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Listen to this article Loading your audio article All five past, present and future presidents gathered Thursday at an inspirational state funeral for Jimmy Carter, the famously folksy peanut farmer who rose from humble beginnings in rural Georgia to become the 39th commander-in-chief.Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 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
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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
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The onion supplier behind a deadly E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders this past fall had numerous health and sanitation violations, including employees with unwashed hands, dirty equipment, and puddles of Listeria bacteria.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2025
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Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The film is about this everyman finding his inner hero.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 31 Oct. 2024
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Following building and loan manager George Bailey on an odyssey of rediscovery, the film continues to hold a place in the hearts of multiple generations with its message of value and appreciation for the everyman in America just trying to help his fellow neighbor get by.Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near proletarian
Cite this Entry
“Proletarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proletarian. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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