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

• bad
• bastard
• bush
• bush-league
• crummy
• crumby
• deficient
• dissatisfactory
• ill
• inferior
• lame
• lousy
• off
• paltry
• poor
• punk
• sour
• subpar
• substandard
• unacceptable
• unsatisfactory
• wack [slang]
• wanting
• wretched
• wrong

Examples of suboptimal in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

There will be a natural temptation, though, to kick the can with a suboptimal nuclear deal, which would be a mistake. —The Editors, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025

More than 300 studies show consistent associations between lower socioeconomic status and suboptimal sleep health. —American Heart Association News, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2025

Even professional fund managers, equipped with research and resources, often fall prey to these same psychological traps, resulting in suboptimal performance driven by emotional rather than rational decisions. —True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025

From the beginning, production challenges included procuring resources and filming during suboptimal weather. —Amber Dowling, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 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