suboptimal

adjective

sub·​op·​ti·​mal ˌsəb-ˈäp-tə-məl 

variants or sub-optimal

: less than optimal : not at the best possible level

suboptimal performance

suboptimal conditions/results/solutions

received suboptimal care

… such is life at the sharp end of evolution, where the pursuit of self-interest frequently leads to suboptimal outcomes for all concerned.

—The Economist

Training at sub-optimal levels fatigues you and wastes time you could have spent at the high levels you hope to achieve.

—Rick Crawford

suboptimally adverb

or sub-optimally

… countless companies perform suboptimally. They fail to capitalize on a unique competitive advantage.

—Erik Matson

Synonyms of suboptimal

• unacceptable
• poor
• wrong
• lame
• bad
• deficient
• flawed

Examples of suboptimal in a Sentence

yes, living on junk food generally means that you have a suboptimal diet

Recent Examples on the Web

Using Airbnb homes as robot testing grounds without the hosts’ knowledge or consent would be a risky business move, especially because any damage caused by the robots would be suboptimal advertising for robots intended for household use. —Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 1 June 2026

A little under 30 hours ago, a day of suboptimal health for Sinner and the Paris heatwave did their work. —Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 29 May 2026

Twenty minutes on the floor beats two hours of suboptimal thinking or subpar performance on the field. —Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

The home-and-home approach is wholly unprecedented and slightly suboptimal. —Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

suboptimal

adjective

sub·​op·​ti·​mal ˌsəb-ˈäp-tə-məl 

: less than optimal

a suboptimal diet

a suboptimal dose of a drug