ˌsəb-ˈäp-tə-məl
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
yes, living on junk food generally means that you have a suboptimal diet
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Recent Examples of suboptimal
The Cygnus spacecraft compensated for its suboptimal position on the ISS by using its steerable main engine, using gimbals to move the engine's nozzle to direct its thrust in the right direction.
—
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2025
McCarthy’s torn meniscus came at a suboptimal time.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
In most of these cases, a much higher heart age is linked to suboptimal blood pressure and cholesterol—factors that can be modified with both lifestyle and medication, Khan added.
—Kristen Fischer, Health, 9 Aug. 2025
Poor data hygiene leads to incorrect conclusions, faulty recommendations and suboptimal decision making.
—Scott Francis, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suboptimal
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2025
McCarthy’s torn meniscus came at a suboptimal time.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
In most of these cases, a much higher heart age is linked to suboptimal blood pressure and cholesterol—factors that can be modified with both lifestyle and medication, Khan added.
—Kristen Fischer, Health, 9 Aug. 2025
Poor data hygiene leads to incorrect conclusions, faulty recommendations and suboptimal decision making.
—Scott Francis, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suboptimal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suboptimal
Adjective
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This vile, heartless remark is completely unacceptable—especially from someone entrusted with our children.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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What constitutes an unacceptable season for the Yankees these days, and how much does Boone bear responsibility when the team doesn't perform up to those standards?—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Cutting carbs entirely can raise the risk of cholesterol, kidney stones, poor bone health, gut problems, and even cancer, added Stefanki.—
Caitlin Pagán,
Verywell Health,
11 Sep. 2025
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Before Wednesday’s game, people within the organization were optimistic about Helsley putting his tipping problem and overall poor pitching behind him, pointing to a clean inning Monday.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Using the wrong type of cleaning product for your tub's material can result in scratches, discoloration, or chips.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
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Scotsman Robert MacIntyre was pleased to have made the cut with a birdie on the last on Friday evening but when a rare second cut was made to shorten the field for the final day, the 29-year-old from Oban was on the wrong side of the line when finishing 2 under par.—
Caoimhe O'Neill,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Another main issue is that the power grind itself now being the endgame is no longer a good motivator to play, nor is the Tier system with 3s not much different than 4s or 5s, and all past weapons being somewhat lame now outside of that system entirely.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Paine proposed a lump sum payment of £15 (£2,306 in 2025) to everyone reaching the age of twenty-one and a £10 (£1,537 in 2025) annual pension for the blind and lame, as well as for those fifty and older.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But that’s actually a bad thing for a couple reasons.—
Jeff Fedotin,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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But worse than the poverty was the verbal and physical abuse from his father.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The following table lists the deficient, virtuous, and excess descriptions of justice.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Of the veterinary diets, 66% were found to have lower total protein by design and were also deficient in one or more essential amino acids.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Without curiosity about how AI reaches its results, employees may blindly accept answers that are flawed.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Troublingly, Cal Fire’s flawed models systematically underestimate logging emissions and overestimate regrowth, conveniently ignoring how climate change hamstrings regrowth and fuels wildfires that release yet more emissions.—
John P. O’Brien,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Suboptimal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suboptimal. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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