The term "inferior planets" is commonly used to describe Venus and Mercury, which lie between the Earth and the Sun in our solar system. However, there are a few other synonyms used to describe these types of planets. One such synonym is "inner planets," which refers to the fact that they are closer to the Sun than the outer planets, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Another synonym is "terrestrial planets," which means "Earth-like" due to their similar composition of rocky surfaces and metallic cores. Additionally, some sources may refer to inferior or inner planets simply as "rocky planets," as opposed to the gas giants.