belonging to or characteristic of an early level of skill or development
once considered the latest thing, electric typewriters now look like low technology indeed
How does the adjective low contrast with its synonyms?
The words base and vile are common synonyms of low. While all three words mean "deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values," low may connote crafty cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety.
refused to listen to such low talk
When could base be used to replace low?
While the synonyms base and low are close in meaning, base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness.
base motives
When can vile be used instead of low?
Although the words vile and low have much in common, vile, the strongest of these words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth.
a vile remark
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 low
Adjective
Burdett also had fewer preterm births and fewer babies with low birth weights.—
Noam Levey,
NPR,
1 Sep. 2026 Better models enable more intelligent filtering and lower operating costs.—
Alper Yegin,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2026
Noun
Iran’s currency – the rial – is incredibly weak and dropped to a record low of two million against the US dollar yesterday.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
25 Aug. 2026 Temperatures are expected to be in the low to mid 90s, which are slightly higher than normal.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Aug. 2026
Adverb
Simon had been performing low-flying maneuvers while spectators on the ground watched, according to KIRO 7.—
James Cirrone,
FOXNews.com,
25 Aug. 2026 Those earthquakes are typically small, measuring low on the Richter Scale.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for low
Lindsay Clancy was depressed, prosecutor says During more than four weeks of testimony, jurors heard differing views from medical experts about Clancy’s mental state after Callan’s birth.
—
Michael Casey,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Aug. 2026
Many established theatrical distributors are also wary of the current depressed market for documentaries.
Many African economies are in a much weaker economic position compared to the strong 2015-2016 El Niño, the IIF report said, largely due to higher oil prices, which have driven up transport costs, and a strong US dollar.
—
Paige Bruton,
semafor.com,
2 Sep. 2026
Too much nitrogen in the spring creates a weak root system that isn’t able to withstand the heat and drought in summer.
—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Sep. 2026
Copy Citation
