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

• 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

None of these methods guarantees a single, repeatable outcome without extensive expertise, leading to suboptimal processes. —Ohm Kundurthy, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025

From a purely economic point of view, this system would be suboptimal and less efficient than the global trading system was. —Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 11 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

All of this is suboptimal for a Yankees team under .500 since the start of June. —The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 29 July 2025

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