second-class citizen

The term "second-class citizen" highlights systemic discrimination and inequality within a society, often affecting marginalized groups.

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Definition

(general)A person systematically treated as inferior and deprived of certain rights and opportunities compared to others in the same society.

Despite being a legal resident, she felt like a second-class citizen due to the discrimination she faced daily.

(formal)An individual who, despite legal citizenship, faces institutionalized discrimination and lacks equal access to rights and privileges.

The policies effectively rendered the minority population as second-class citizens, stripping them of many basic rights.

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "second-class citizen":