MADE THE GRADE Synonyms: 24 Similar and Opposite Words

made the grade

phrase

past tense of make the grade

as in succeeded

to reach a desired level of accomplishment There were many applicants for the position, but only a few made the grade for an interview.

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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.

Recent Examples of made the grade Other names that made the grade in 2027 include Alphabet, Apple , Coca-Cola, Dynatrace , Eli Lilly , Equinix and Williams Companies . — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026 Another Spanish-language filmmaker, Chile’s Pablo Larraín, has arguably already made the grade. — John Hopewell, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for made the grade

Phrase

Stuhlbarg noted a lot of trial and error before arriving at the version of the movie that made it to the screen.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026
The team's statement never made it into Prime's postgame discussion.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of made it

Phrase

Giving Fincher a chance to dabble in TV and animation are other areas that a place like Apple or Amazon may have been willing to throw a lot of money at, but Netflix got there first.

— Brian Welk, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026
Milinkovitch got there from the tuft on Gonzo’s head, Holtz from the shape of his hands.

— Niranjana Rajalakshmi, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of got there

Phrase

Raiders field goal kicker Matt Gay had just made good on a 41-yard attempt on the first drive of the second half, extending Las Vegas’ lead to six points.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026
Freedom made good on his promise of legal action just weeks later.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of made good

Phrase

Henriquez replaced Sasaki and got ahead of Drake Baldwin, 1-and-2.

— Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2026
The Seattle right-hander got ahead in the count 1-2, but Happ kept his hands tucked on a down-and-in splitter to blast it off the right-field foul pole for his 22nd home run of the season.

— CBS News, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of got ahead

Browse Nearby Words

made sport of

made the grade

made-to-measure

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“Made the grade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/made%20the%20grade. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of made the grade

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