substandard
adjective
sub·stan·dard
ˌsəb-ˈstan-dərd 
: deviating from or falling short of a standard or norm: such as
a
: of a quality lower than that prescribed by law
substandard housing
b
: conforming to a pattern of linguistic usage existing within a speech community but not that of the prestige group in that community
c
: constituting a greater than normal risk to an insurer
Examples of substandard in a Sentence
a teacher who rejects substandard work without hesitation
Recent Examples on the Web
Mold, lack of heat, inadequate ventilation, infestations and lead are just some threats to tenants’ health in substandard housing, often exacerbating chronic illnesses such as asthma and lung disease.
—
Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2026
According to Lisa Schiller, senior director of investigations and media relations for the Better Business Bureau, online pharmacies may sell fake, substandard, expired, or unapproved medications that may contain harmful ingredients.
—Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 19 Jan. 2026
The disaster has raised questions about bid-rigging and corruption, as well as negligence by government officials, who have cited substandard mesh netting, polystyrene boards that were sealed to the windows and fire alarm failures as major factors in the fire’s start and rapid spread.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
The case highlighted broader substandard working and housing conditions for pickers, including excessive working hours, low pay, a lack of safety equipment and protocols, such as adequate hydration and breaks.
—Holly Ellyatt,charlotte Reed, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for substandard
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Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2026
According to Lisa Schiller, senior director of investigations and media relations for the Better Business Bureau, online pharmacies may sell fake, substandard, expired, or unapproved medications that may contain harmful ingredients.
—Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 19 Jan. 2026
The disaster has raised questions about bid-rigging and corruption, as well as negligence by government officials, who have cited substandard mesh netting, polystyrene boards that were sealed to the windows and fire alarm failures as major factors in the fire’s start and rapid spread.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
The case highlighted broader substandard working and housing conditions for pickers, including excessive working hours, low pay, a lack of safety equipment and protocols, such as adequate hydration and breaks.
—Holly Ellyatt,charlotte Reed, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for substandard
Cite this Entry
“Substandard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/substandard. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
substandard
adjective
sub·stan·dard
ˌsəb-ˈstan-dərd
ˈsəb-
1
: varying from or falling short of a standard or norm
substandard housing
2
: following a pattern of linguistic usage that is not considered standard
substandard English
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