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
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Recent Examples of low
Adjective
Alternative fuel sources saving some money for districts The Council Rock School District in lower Bucks County started migrating to propane back in the 2022-23 school year.—
Chilekasi Adele,
CBS News,
25 Aug. 2026 Warmer, more humid air is expected over the weekend, pushing temperatures into the lower to mid-90s Saturday and the mid- to upper 90s Sunday.—Kansas City Star,
25 Aug. 2026
Noun
With four heat settings ranging from an 82-degree low to a 212-degree temperature high, this luxury hair dryer can accommodate all hair types.—
Bestreviews,
Mercury News,
24 Aug. 2026 Marijuana use in the US is at a record high, while cigarette smoking sits at a record low, according to new polling from Gallup.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
24 Aug. 2026
Adverb
To Guide Decisions One very lightweight, low-hanging-fruit use case that almost any small business can start with is research.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2026 The scan, formally called a coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, uses a low-dose CT machine to measure calcified plaque inside the arteries feeding the heart.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for low
This increase happens for two reasons — both tied to the fact that El Niño is characterized by warmer than average ocean temperatures in the equatorial tropical Pacific Ocean.
—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
25 Aug. 2026
The National Hurricane Center is tracking two disturbances, but the first one is near Bermuda and its chances of strengthening into a tropical depression or storm are dropping.
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.
At the start of the year, Iceland Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Gunnarsdottir said that deeper dialogue and collaboration with the EU would be a key factor in shoring up the country's interests.
—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
28 Aug. 2026
Thankfully, his reappearance in the show actually has a deeper purpose.
The heat has caused a fall in nuclear generation, with power plants forced to shut down or reduce production across the region, while wind power generation has been weak over the summer.
—
Jenni Reid,
CNBC,
27 Aug. 2026
The state financial watchdog attributed the disbursement problems to administrative delays, weak project management, and late counterpart funding from the Congolese government.
That pertness should be unbearable, but the scene is written in a minor key and performed by both actors to match, favouring eye contact and murmurs; the sheer brevity prevents it from becoming gloopy or crass.
—
Caspar Salmon,
Variety,
21 Aug. 2026
Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, a crass and charismatic oil executive who’s called upon to help save the world after his company nearly destroys it.
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