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

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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

The following season, Chelsea topped their Champions League group, but poor Premier League form saw Mourinho sacked in mid-December.

— Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Many are in poor shape, with thin, uninsulated walls, leaky windows, old or broken swamp coolers and electrical systems that can't always handle air conditioners.

— Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

The ride quality in my tester was more than satisfactory; a good thing given the infamous Atlanta traffic.

— Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026
Esther’s sudden fortune and failure — which arrives via mail in two envelopes on the same day — is unrealistic, and her story isn’t resolved in a satisfactory way at the end.

— Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 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

Unfortunately, the fantasy is interrupted by a giant monolith of a middling luxury condo building looming outside.

— Nora DeLigter, Curbed, 4 Sep. 2026
When expectations were highest at Ole Miss (2024), the Rebels got knocked out of the CFP race with losses to middling Kentucky and Florida teams.

— Matt Baker, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of middling

Adjective

This is similar to what cruise lines do when moving ships between itineraries, often offering trips at a cheaper cost than traditional voyages.

— Elliott Harrell, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2026
Because they must be built out, rather than up, hyperscalers typically go to suburban or rural areas with relatively cheap land.

— Greta Reich, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of cheap

Adjective

McCuin has only good speed and ordinary size, but his route savvy, ball skills and competitive toughness separate him on tape.

— Dane Brugler, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Europol does not keep statistics on nihilistic violent extremism because definitions of it differ and acts can fall into the category of ordinary criminality as well as terrorism.

— Lorne Cook, Fortune, 8 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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“Mediocre.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mediocre. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of mediocre

adjective

Example Sentences

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