MEDIOCRE Synonyms: 152 Similar and Opposite Words

mediocre

adjective

ˌmē-dē-ˈō-kər

Definition of mediocre

as in decent

of average to below average quality your grades are mediocre and barely acceptable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in poor

of low quality mediocre carvings in a pseudo-African style that are sold to tourists

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 mediocre Again, send out 20 really good ones rather than 200 mediocre ones. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 The boring rosters, the passive-aggressive press conferences, the endless parade of mediocre seasons — cresting and falling with an inexplicable 2021 and 2026 — has been brutal to watch. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026 Turnout is mediocre Democrats have been having trouble winning statewide electrons for decades, and the state has turned increasingly Republican in recent years. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026 But typical olive oil producers (California, Tuscany, Spain, Greece) can all produce both extraordinary and mediocre oils. — Laura Manzano, Martha Stewart, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mediocre

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mediocre

Adjective

Jeremy Jacquet looks like a decent replacement for Ibrahima Konate and getting Ronald Araujo on loan provides extra cover given the defensive injuries.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Cease has been decent against Guardians hitters, holding them to 26 hits in 105 at-bats, but only nine of them have been for extra bases.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of decent

Adjective

Dozens of companies have withdrawn over the past decades due to poor profits, an uncertain business outlook and concerns about harm to their reputations from making arms, especially lethal weapons.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Along the way, the audience can expect tons of humiliation, terrible second prizes, and the guarantee that Robertson will turn at least one poor soul's wrong turn into several minutes of unhinged public destruction.

— Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

For the city, the move represents a satisfactory but temporary solution to a months-long dispute over the market’s location that came to a head last week.

— Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
But Olson cautioned people that investigations don’t guarantee a satisfactory outcome for consumers.

— Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of satisfactory

Adjective

Whether the outcome will be terrible or beautiful is unclear.

— Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026
Feral pigeons are famously terrible nest builders and are drawn to buildings and roofs with features like solar panels, chimneys, eaves, and AC units to make their homes.

— Molly Burford, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of terrible

Adjective

In a morass of middling quarterback play throughout the preseason, Fagnano has stood out.

— Daniel Popper, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
So far, season 11’s workplace dynamic and charismatic crew have elevated it above the low standard set by consecutive middling seasons across the Below Deck franchise.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of middling

Adjective

Taylor Farms says 40% of salad kits sold at grocery stores come from the company, giving it a massive role in supplying a convenient and cheap vegetable option for many shoppers.

— Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Successful validation Sodium is cheap, abundant, and chemically similar to lithium.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of cheap

Adjective

This may not come as a surprise in a world not only of AI, but widespread access to technology that requires ordinary people to develop typing skills.

— Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Why network awareness deserves more attention now Online banking and shopping place sensitive information at the center of ordinary internet use.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of ordinary

Adjective

Gwyn’s, however, who Richard considers to be his inferior, has jettisoned into success and is in the running for a huge literary prize.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Curiously, cobalt was linked with a small rise in amyloid-beta proteins in the inferior temporal cortex.

— Mike McRae August 31, New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of inferior

Browse Nearby Words

medieval

mediocre

mediocrities

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Cite this Entry

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“Mediocre.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mediocre. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of mediocre

adjective

Example Sentences

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