subprime
adjective
sub·prime
ˈsəb-ˌprīm 
1
: having or being an interest rate that is higher than a prime rate and is extended chiefly to a borrower who has a poor credit rating or is judged to be a potentially high risk for default (as due to low income)
subprime mortgages
a subprime loan
2
: extending or obtaining a subprime loan
subprime lenders
subprime borrowers
Examples of subprime in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Yet Dundon remained a player among subprime auto lenders.
—
Tony Schick, ProPublica, 3 Oct. 2025
Capital One has the most exposure to subprime borrowers and stands to feel the impact of consumer weakness, said Jeff Marks, director of portfolio analysis for the Club.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
Parts supplier First Brands is over its skis on a $6 billion debt pile and an additional, murky pile of off-balance sheet debt, days after a dealership catering to subprime buyers filed for Chapter 11.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2025
But Tricolor’s problems aren’t likely to upend the broader financial services industry the way the subprime mortgage lenders did in 2008, nearly bringing about a new Depression.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subprime
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Tony Schick, ProPublica, 3 Oct. 2025
Capital One has the most exposure to subprime borrowers and stands to feel the impact of consumer weakness, said Jeff Marks, director of portfolio analysis for the Club.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
Parts supplier First Brands is over its skis on a $6 billion debt pile and an additional, murky pile of off-balance sheet debt, days after a dealership catering to subprime buyers filed for Chapter 11.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2025
But Tricolor’s problems aren’t likely to upend the broader financial services industry the way the subprime mortgage lenders did in 2008, nearly bringing about a new Depression.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subprime
Cite this Entry
“Subprime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subprime. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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subprime
adjective
sub·prime
ˈsəb-ˌprīm
1
: having or being an interest rate that is higher than a prime rate and is extended especially to low-income borrowers
subprime mortgages
2
: extending or obtaining a subprime loan
subprime lenders
subprime borrowers
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