second-rate
adjective
sec·ond-rate
ˌse-kən(d)-ˈrāt 
: of second or inferior quality or value : mediocre
a second-rate restaurant
second-rateness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of second-rate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
According to Charter, Disney had placed some of its best content exclusively on its streamers, leaving cable with second-rate content.
—
Bypaolo Confino, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2023
The sing-song qualities of his music did not sit well with many music critics, who dismissed him as a second-rate talent with little to offer.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2023
While Twitter’s DMs have set a benchmark for effortless speed, even rendering email second-rate for some, LinkedIn’s messaging interface remains tangled.
—Vivek Wadhwa, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2023
After all, the media companies are only going to spend so much for the rights to broadcast second-rate games.
—Jon Wilner | , oregonlive, 14 Aug. 2023
However, the thing that really bothers many parents like me who opt for medicated births is the idea that this kind of scenario is somehow second-rate.
—Marisa Cohen, Parents, 12 Aug. 2023
Daniel Rader Our third version of the story comes from Teddy, a manager of second-rate acts that included a bagpipe-playing whippet and Miss Mulatto and her 120 Pigeons, before meeting Frank Hardy.
—Terry Byrne, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2023
These fans understand that M.L.S. is a second-rate show, and that the real hot action is taking place overseas, in the élite leagues of Europe.
—Jody Rosen, The New Yorker, 23 July 2023
Frozen blueberries are especially handy to have around for drink recipes—and not just as a second-rate substitute for fresh produce.
—Ali Ramee, Southern Living, 2 July 2023
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Bypaolo Confino, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2023
The sing-song qualities of his music did not sit well with many music critics, who dismissed him as a second-rate talent with little to offer.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2023
While Twitter’s DMs have set a benchmark for effortless speed, even rendering email second-rate for some, LinkedIn’s messaging interface remains tangled.
—Vivek Wadhwa, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2023
After all, the media companies are only going to spend so much for the rights to broadcast second-rate games.
—Jon Wilner | , oregonlive, 14 Aug. 2023
However, the thing that really bothers many parents like me who opt for medicated births is the idea that this kind of scenario is somehow second-rate.
—Marisa Cohen, Parents, 12 Aug. 2023
Daniel Rader Our third version of the story comes from Teddy, a manager of second-rate acts that included a bagpipe-playing whippet and Miss Mulatto and her 120 Pigeons, before meeting Frank Hardy.
—Terry Byrne, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2023
These fans understand that M.L.S. is a second-rate show, and that the real hot action is taking place overseas, in the élite leagues of Europe.
—Jody Rosen, The New Yorker, 23 July 2023
Frozen blueberries are especially handy to have around for drink recipes—and not just as a second-rate substitute for fresh produce.
—Ali Ramee, Southern Living, 2 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'second-rate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1669, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near second-rate
Cite this Entry
“Second-rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-rate. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
second-rate
adjective
sec·ond-rate
ˌsek-ən-ˈ(d)rāt
: of second or ordinary quality or value : mediocre
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