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
The civil-rights lawyers working to force reforms on Sheriff Kelly Martinez are worried about lapses in treatment for mentally ill people, a lack of quality medical care and substandard living conditions in the county’s seven different facilities.
—
Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025
Another whistleblower, the late John Barnett, had raised similar concerns about Boeing’s South Carolina plant, alleging that substandard parts were used to expedite production.
—Dan Irvine, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Asked about complaints of overcrowding and substandard conditions in detention facilities, Homan acknowledged some facilities are overcrowded during intake.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
Other states with a substandard balance of payments include California, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Utah and Illinois.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for substandard
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Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025
Another whistleblower, the late John Barnett, had raised similar concerns about Boeing’s South Carolina plant, alleging that substandard parts were used to expedite production.
—Dan Irvine, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Asked about complaints of overcrowding and substandard conditions in detention facilities, Homan acknowledged some facilities are overcrowded during intake.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
Other states with a substandard balance of payments include California, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Utah and Illinois.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 2 June 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 20 Jun. 2025.
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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