Someone who has an inferiority complex feels that they are of less worth or importance than other people.
inferiority complex in British English
noun
psychiatry
a disorder arising from the conflict between the desire to be noticed and the fear of being humiliated, characterized by aggressiveness or withdrawal into oneself
inferiority complex in American English
1. Psychology
a neurotic condition resulting from various feelings of inferiority, such as derive from realor imagined physical or social inadequacy, and often manifested through overcompensation in excessive aggressiveness, a domineering attitude, etc.
2. Popularly
any feeling of inferiority, inadequacy, etc.
see also superiority complex
Examples of 'inferiority complex' in a sentence
inferiority complex
It gave me something of an inferiority complex.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And there was certainly no inferiority complex from Klopp.
The Sun (2016)
This phobia is the brightest flower of my inferiority complex.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The inferiority complex has extended to football.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It will have an inferiority complex now.
The Sun (2014)
Are they really able to instil an inferiority complex?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Others might have a colonial cringe, an inferiority complex.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Is it an inferiority complex?
The Sun (2016)
I thought they would get rolled over, but they are an experienced team and showed no inferiority complex.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
You say your family dismiss your brother-in-law's behaviour as an inferiority complex and simply ignore it.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
My writing was so tiny - it's a sign of an inferiority complex.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Her inferiority complex with regard to Royal is painfully, almost embarrassingly apparent.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
And, three, all those years in the wilderness gave them a bit of an inferiority complex.
The Sun (2014)
But they were up against a team who, in this competition at least, seem immune to such things as an inferiority complex.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
There was an element of me showing off, because deep down I suffer from a huge inferiority complex.