MAKE THE GRADE Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

make the grade

phrase

Definition of make the grade

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

Relevance

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

Phrase

Alvaro Ortiz made it to the Masters before his brother, Carlos, by winning the Latin American Amateur in 2019.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Of course, inevitably, not everything from the runway will make it into stores.

— Joan Kennedy, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of make it

Phrase

But rumors started pointing to Apple going with its landscape-first form factor, and other foldable makers shifted gears — seemingly to get ahead of Apple.

— Nilay Patel, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026
Qualifying an alternative source takes an intense amount of time and capital, which means that beginning to move supply chains to domestic suppliers now can put leaders in the position to get ahead.

— Yardley Pohl, Forbes.com, 16 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

To make good decisions, consumers need to rely on accurate information, but much of the hype around peptides is misleading.

— Amy Maxmen, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
There’s never a good time to announce a multi-year closure, but the hotel is now working to make good on many of its long-term plans guests have made.

— Timothy Latterner, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of make good

Browse Nearby Words

makes way

make the grade

make tracks

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Make the grade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make%20the%20grade. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of make the grade

phrase

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

emissary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes