subprime
adjective
sub·prime
ˈsəb-ˌprīm 
1
: having or being an interest rate that is higher than a prime rate and is extended chiefly to a borrower who has a poor credit rating or is judged to be a potentially high risk for default (as due to low income)
subprime mortgages
a subprime loan
2
: extending or obtaining a subprime loan
subprime lenders
subprime borrowers
Examples of subprime in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Adding to the unease, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warned of rising credit risk during the earnings call, citing the recent bankruptcies of Tricolor Holdings, a subprime auto lender, and First Brands, an auto parts manufacturer.
—
Benzinga, Freep.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Prime and near-prime borrowers, who typically have good credit scores, are actually missing car payments at a faster rate than subprime consumers since lenders tightened financing criteria for the lowest-rung borrowers three years ago, the study found.
—Miguel Ambriz, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
And some consumers have been jostled by rising prices, with delinquencies and subprime debt rising for lower-income tiers.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Rules put into place after the 2008 financial crisis discouraged regulated banks from making many types of loans, from mortgages to subprime auto, leading to the rise of thousands of non-bank lenders.
—Hugh Son, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
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Benzinga, Freep.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Prime and near-prime borrowers, who typically have good credit scores, are actually missing car payments at a faster rate than subprime consumers since lenders tightened financing criteria for the lowest-rung borrowers three years ago, the study found.
—Miguel Ambriz, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
And some consumers have been jostled by rising prices, with delinquencies and subprime debt rising for lower-income tiers.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Rules put into place after the 2008 financial crisis discouraged regulated banks from making many types of loans, from mortgages to subprime auto, leading to the rise of thousands of non-bank lenders.
—Hugh Son, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subprime
Cite this Entry
“Subprime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subprime. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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subprime
adjective
sub·prime
ˈsəb-ˌprīm
1
: having or being an interest rate that is higher than a prime rate and is extended especially to low-income borrowers
subprime mortgages
2
: extending or obtaining a subprime loan
subprime lenders
subprime borrowers
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