as in masses
people looked down upon as ignorant and of the lowest class
the Bolsheviks believed that Russia's discontented proletariat made that nation ripe for revolution
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of proletariat
Because the exploited—the proletariat—have nothing to fall back on, nowhere further to sink, their liberation would be the liberation of history from class struggle.
—
James Robins, The New Republic, 19 Jan. 2023
Now a college degree is the most reliable indicator of Democratic preference; the proletariat is dependably Republican.
—Gerard Baker, WSJ, 9 Jan. 2023
The numerically ascending service proletariat is frankly irrelevant in setting the terms of debate in our polity.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2013
The early republican army was one of freeborn citizens, and even after the Marian reforms which opened up the army to the proletariat the Roman legions were draw from the citizenry.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2013
See all Example Sentences for proletariat 
James Robins, The New Republic, 19 Jan. 2023
Now a college degree is the most reliable indicator of Democratic preference; the proletariat is dependably Republican.
—Gerard Baker, WSJ, 9 Jan. 2023
The numerically ascending service proletariat is frankly irrelevant in setting the terms of debate in our polity.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2013
The early republican army was one of freeborn citizens, and even after the Marian reforms which opened up the army to the proletariat the Roman legions were draw from the citizenry.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2013
See all Example Sentences for proletariat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proletariat
Noun
-
In the Eaton Fire zone, Latinos represent 27% of the populace but 35% of workers.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA TODAY,
29 Jan. 2025
-
Much to the amazement of the local populace, the eggs kept popping out—until it was discovered that the owner was writing the words and reinserting the eggs into the hapless hen’s cloaca.—
Arthur Krystal,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
There was little-to-no doubt Jurgen Klopp’s side were going to defeat Ralf Rangnick’s under-interim-management rabble that day.—
Carl Anka,
The Athletic,
4 Jan. 2025
-
Advertisement From start to finish, pure madness, amid a rabble that never calmed, never quieted, never quit.—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
Our team of editors work with these experts to share their knowledge with the wider public.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
31 Jan. 2025
-
Meghan Markle will never win over UK public again, author claims Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of 'My Mother and I,' discusses how the Duchess of Sussex isn't going to be welcomed back across the pond anytime soon, following her royal exit.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
Fox News,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The Academy, along with its MusiCares organization, launched the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort to raise money for people in the music industry who were affected by the fires, raising and pledging more than $4 million so far.—
Tiffany Kelly,
EW.com,
3 Feb. 2025
-
All six people aboard the plane − a pilot and copilot, two medical personnel, a patient and her mother − died in the crash, authorities said.—
John Bacon,
USA TODAY,
2 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to proletariat
Thesaurus Entries Near proletariat
Cite this Entry
“Proletariat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proletariat. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share