make the grade

phrase

Definition of make the gradenext
as in make it
to reach a desired level of accomplishment There were many applicants for the position, but only a few made the grade for an interview.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 make the grade At National Mortgage Center, another DSCR lender, even buyers of short-term rentals can often be approved, and sometimes multifamily projects of more than five units make the grade. — Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for make the grade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make the grade
  1. make it
  2. get there
  3. get ahead
  4. get somewhere
  5. make good
  6. cut it
Phrase
  • Baker is eighth in all-time wins with 2,183, and seems like a lock to make it in his first year on the ballot.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
  • We‘ve made it to what many have told us is one of the most beautiful stadiums in College football.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of make it
Phrase
  • But getting there hasn’t been easy, particularly for Democrats in California.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Dubrov, Kikina and Menon got there in mid-July, aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of get there
Phrase
  • Anthropic knows its consumer business is a weakness, and potentially a blind spot its competitors could exploit to get ahead.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • In particular, the United States and Israel must share real-time intelligence about the evolving nature of Iranian and Houthi targeting capabilities and weapons, so that maritime coalition members can get ahead of the innovation curve.
    — Dana Stroul, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of get ahead
Phrase
  • After spending 26 years trying to get somewhere, this copy won’t be going back in the mail.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Some are predicting that Colorado defenseman Cale Makar will get somewhere in the $18 million to $20 million range before the start of September’s training camps.
    — Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 12 July 2026
Definition of get somewhere
Phrase
  • Gleb is a successful businessman, a Russian muzhik made good—wealthy, sturdy, practical—who owns a logistics company in a midsize, provincial city.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Cecil oversaw the opening of The Inn in 2001, making good, more than a century later, on his great-grandfather’s original vision for a hotel component to his country estate.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of make good
Phrase
  • That effort is far more likely to raise overall government spending than cut it.
    — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
  • But representation alone won’t cut it, said Julián Castro, chief executive of the Latino Community Foundation.
    — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of cut it

Browse Nearby Words

makes way
make the grade
make tracks
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Make the grade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make%20the%20grade. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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