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 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 In years past, 100,000 new jobs a month would have been mediocre. — Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mediocre

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mediocre

Adjective

Toure has been decent, too, flashing down the wing and firing in crosses.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Democrats had a decent night in Florida’s nonpartisan elections, led by their wins on the Sarasota County school board.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of decent

Adjective

The petition argues Mays’ language during the trial revealed something deeper than a poor defense strategy — a worldview that dehumanized the man he was supposed to defend.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
There remains work to be done, as evidenced by their poor showing in last Thursday’s 41-17 preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

— Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

By contrast, state inspection records from 2025 and the first weeks of 2026, just days after Calvo took office in January, show the city’s pool facilities were consistently rated satisfactory.

— Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026
For someone who is dogmatic, or has a strong commitment to evangelism, this may not be satisfactory.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of satisfactory

Adjective

The series received a lukewarm reception from critics and earned middling ratings upon its release, in August, 2005.

— Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Teams don’t have to be much better than middling to sneak into October and hope to ride the variance of tournament baseball to a title.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of middling

Adjective

Brands like Slate and Ford are betting cheaper, smaller electric trucks can attract buyers priced out of larger pickups.

— Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Beyond removing the psychological and practical barrier of injections, oral formulations are not reliant on syringes or refrigeration and are cheaper to manufacture.

— Perdita Nouril, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of cheap

Adjective

Pay attention to ordinary pleasures, like a warm bed on a cold night, a good cup of coffee, or a brightly colored bird outside the window.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 18 Aug. 2026
Critics, however, said the effects of those macroeconomic improvements were not being felt by ordinary Zambians who were growing frustrated with a high cost of living and electricity shortages.

— Jacob Zimba, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of ordinary

Adjective

But those three road losses were either in the postseason to a top-two team, at Oregon or the inexplicable 2024 loss to a far inferior Michigan team in The Game.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
The main disagreement centers on what the union says are inferior pay scales compared with nonunion workers.

— A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of inferior

Browse Nearby Words

medieval

mediocre

mediocrities

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Style

“Mediocre.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mediocre. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of mediocre

adjective

Example Sentences

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