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
-
Even though the amount of each check is lower, investing it in the stock market, which averages an annual return of 10%, could make up for that loss and more.—
Medora Lee,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Research has found that people who regularly practice mindfulness generally experience less stress and lower levels of cortisol.—
Julia Ries,
SELF,
24 Feb. 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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
The fledglings were savored by the nobility and the clergy, who, according to Fritz’s research, passed decrees to keep commoners from killing them, to preserve them for themselves.—
Nick Paumgarten,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
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Despite being a commoner, Harald broke his father’s rule and began dating Sonja, but Olav ordered Harald to cut off contact with her once he was made aware of their relationship.—
Rachel Burchfield,
People.com,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Though Saturday Night excoriates Chase as a haughty frat-adjacent character and the actor’s reputation as being difficult to work with precedes him, an early writer paints a more humble picture.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Neville has always been humble about his playing career, instead pointing to the talent of those around him, from Cantona to Beckham and many others in between.—
Matt Slater,
The Athletic,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
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
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Prepare your equipment There’s almost nothing worse than going on a romantic date with your partner, perhaps for some tacos, only to get down to business later and accidentally burn them with your spicy, unwashed hands.—
Quispe López,
Them,
14 Feb. 2025
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Clean the Handle and Zippers The handle and zippers get a lot of use and are frequently touched, often with unwashed hands.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Over three decades later, that instinct has paid off in spades, says Michele Lupi, who joins me via Zoom to talk about the brand’s history, their recent archival projects, and the longstanding tradition of adapting the clothing of the everyman for the (high-end) masses.—
Caroline Reilly,
Robb Report,
3 Jan. 2025
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This series finds Allen as Matt, a widower, everyman and possessor of Fox News opinions.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA TODAY,
8 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Proletarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proletarian. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
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