underclass
noun
un·der·class
| \ ˈən-dər-ˌklas
\
\
Definition of underclass
: the lowest social stratum usually made up of disadvantaged minority groups
Examples of underclass in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With that group returning intact, fans clamored for new blood — an infusion of talent from the underclass ranks. — Nathan Baird, cleveland.com, "Ohio State linebackers coach Al Washington’s ‘blank slate’ brought veterans to forefront," 22 Aug. 2019 Bestselling books predicted dystopian outcomes in which society split into a wealthy, robot-owning plutocracy and an unemployed underclass, and repressive governments would be needed to rein in social discontent. — The Economist, "A different dystopia: July 2030," 6 July 2019 Most of this digital underclass works for the big six gig employers—Uber, Ola, Zomato, Swiggy, UrbanClap, and Dunzo. — Sajith Pai, Quartz India, "Economics explains why Indians will continue to quit full-time jobs for Bali vacations," 12 July 2019 Are lower wages the indulgence required of the American underclass to avoid the imputation of sinister motives by Rye? — John Hirschauer, National Review, "Angela Rye Knows You’re Racist," 24 June 2019 Among the employees, mostly low-wage Latinos, there is a growing sense of being an invisible underclass in the sport of kings. — John Cherwa, latimes.com, "Racing! A visit with the backstretch workers," 21 June 2019 They were replaced by poor people of color who would be scapegoated as potential criminals and trapped by disinvestment in public schools and other social services into permanent underclass status. — Ed Morales, Washington Post, "‘When They See Us’ is a reminder of the racial hysteria that gripped NYC in the 1990s — and that still lingers," 7 June 2019 Now as much as any time in the past, there is an underclass, people who are neglected or forgotten in society, and are despised. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Why Les Misérables's Dominic West Thinks Jean Valjean Is a Better Hero Than Spiderman," 15 Apr. 2019 The resulting movie presents a rare inside perspective on the American South’s black underclass, sharing the celebrations and stresses of a tight-knit but desperately poor community. — Noel Murray, The Verge, "The 10 best documentaries of 2018," 18 Dec. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'underclass.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for underclass
underclass
noun
English Language Learners Definition of underclass
: a social class made up of people who are very poor and have very little power or chance to improve their lives : the lowest social class
See the full definition for underclass in the English Language Learners Dictionary