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
In an email, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson who did not provide their name rejected claims of substandard conditions, saying Camp East Montana detainees receive food, water and medical treatment in a facility that is regularly cleaned.
—
Morgan Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
In her defense, Noem appears particularly sensitive to the discomfort of substandard air travel.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
Last fall, the AJC reported on the substandard conditions of this facility, which was not built for long-term detention.
—Eric Mandel, AJC.com, 4 Mar. 2026
While the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s office ruled that Maksym Chernyak and Genry Ruiz Guillen died of natural causes, the Herald found evidence of substandard or delayed care in their medical treatments.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for substandard
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Morgan Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
In her defense, Noem appears particularly sensitive to the discomfort of substandard air travel.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
Last fall, the AJC reported on the substandard conditions of this facility, which was not built for long-term detention.
—Eric Mandel, AJC.com, 4 Mar. 2026
While the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s office ruled that Maksym Chernyak and Genry Ruiz Guillen died of natural causes, the Herald found evidence of substandard or delayed care in their medical treatments.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for substandard
Cite this Entry
“Substandard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/substandard. Accessed 14 Mar. 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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