substandard

adjective

sub·​stan·​dard ˌsəb-ˈstan-dərd How to pronounce substandard (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The physician who provides substandard care out of political conviction rather than medical evidence? Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 Objective measures of diet quality in the US conducted by scientists show that the American diet is substandard. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 7 May 2025 The Rangers are 3-7 in their last 10 games and have only scored more than two runs only twice in the span as injuries and substandard play have hampered the offense. Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 May 2025 It was launched in the 1970s by the federal government as an alternative to public housing projects, which were criticized for segregating poor families in neighborhoods with low-quality schools and other substandard services. Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for substandard

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of substandard was in 1850

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Substandard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/substandard. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

substandard

adjective
sub·​stan·​dard ˌsəb-ˈstan-dərd How to pronounce substandard (audio)
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

Legal Definition

substandard

adjective
sub·​stan·​dard
: deviating from or falling short of a standard or norm: as
a
: of a quality lower than that prescribed by law
b
: constituting a greater than normal risk to an insurer

More from Merriam-Webster on substandard

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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