as in obscurities
a person of little fame
He surrounded himself with mediocrities to appear more notable by comparison.
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Recent Examples of mediocrities
Congress’s lower chamber has always contained its share of mediocrities.
—
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
These two 6-6 mediocrities are battling for first place in the AFC North.
—Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, 5 Dec. 2025
The only character who seems entirely transparent is Frederik, who can’t hide his resentment of his second-class spousal status or his contempt for the sycophants and mediocrities who cling to his wife like barnacles.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
This past week both teams looked like nothing more than overpriced mediocrities at a time when all the reinforcements were supposed to have turned things around for both of them.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2025
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
These two 6-6 mediocrities are battling for first place in the AFC North.
—Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, 5 Dec. 2025
The only character who seems entirely transparent is Frederik, who can’t hide his resentment of his second-class spousal status or his contempt for the sycophants and mediocrities who cling to his wife like barnacles.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
This past week both teams looked like nothing more than overpriced mediocrities at a time when all the reinforcements were supposed to have turned things around for both of them.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mediocrities
Noun
-
Instead, his minions, so afraid of earning his wrath, have remained quiet.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Ackie mostly barks orders at her minions to go get him, while Nighy in his home plays the bad guy demanding blood.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The varied genus offers tall and creeping varieties, all with succulent leaves that shrug off insects.—
Jamie McIntosh,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
-
These insects only emerge from their winter naps when temperatures warm up to a certain point.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Seattle’s John Schneider and New England’s Eliot Wolf rose up from young nobodies to graduate from Green Bay Packers University, too.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Where else could award winning writers pop off about nothing at all, and nobodies could rattle the ivory towers?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In some cases, the department inadvertently released nude photos showing the faces of potential victims as well as names, email addresses and other identifying information that was either unredacted or not fully obscured.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Police identified two other victims and contacted their parents.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mediocrities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mediocrities. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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