as in obscurities
a person of little fame
He surrounded himself with mediocrities to appear more notable by comparison.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 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
-
The evil force of Skeletor (Jared Leto), a bad bad man with no face, brings his minions in and sets off non-stop destruction.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
2 June 2026
-
Aniello, who directed both bookend episodes, replicates her own long, dynamic shot from the series premiere, which tracks Deborah from the closing joke of her zillionth Vegas set, through a backstage warren of minions and admirers, to her dressing room.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Chemical pesticides can become less effective over time as insects develop resistance, while identifying and eliminating all breeding sites can be challenging, especially in urban environments.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
2 June 2026
-
The stress test escalated quickly and Vendo refused requests for edible insects, firearms, even marijuana (legal in Arizona).—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
That comes to the Philippines in the form of war, as well as through the invocation, or establishment, of American-style modes of government and education that place Filipinos along this racial hierarchy, identifying them as these inferiors that need to be taught how to govern themselves.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Despite the tragicomic instability and the rotating cast of nobodies temporarily tasked with running the country, when seen in macroeconomic terms, Peru appears to be doing just fine, thank you.—
Daniel Alarcón,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Newsom’s office said Thursday that the state is providing assistance to victims, family members and witnesses of the mosque shooting.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
The bodies of two people were found earlier this week, before crews recovered the remains of another six victims on Thursday, May 28, Longview fire chief Brad Hannig said in a press conference later that day.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mediocrities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mediocrities. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
