1
as in normality
the quality or state of being mediocre
She's a perfectionist who refuses to settle for mediocrity.
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2
as in nothing
a person of little fame
He surrounded himself with mediocrities to appear more notable by comparison.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mediocrity
Cubs fans, meanwhile, are left wondering how their team couldn’t sweep either the Washington Nationals or the Los Angeles Angels on the first homestand and had to settle for mediocrity.
—
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
The result was not mediocrity, but high competence without distinction.
—Big Think, 20 Mar. 2026
What really bothers me is when companies pay a lot of money for mediocrity, and that happens all too often.
—Alex Crippen, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2026
The famous detective novelist and screenwriter had written an essay for the magazine excoriating the motion-picture industry and its tolerance for—indeed celebration of—mindless mediocrity.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mediocrity
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
The result was not mediocrity, but high competence without distinction.
—Big Think, 20 Mar. 2026
What really bothers me is when companies pay a lot of money for mediocrity, and that happens all too often.
—Alex Crippen, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2026
The famous detective novelist and screenwriter had written an essay for the magazine excoriating the motion-picture industry and its tolerance for—indeed celebration of—mindless mediocrity.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mediocrity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mediocrity
Noun
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Clearly, commercial shipping companies (specifically their insurers) will be hesitant to return to normality.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The price of crude oil fell by more than 15% after a two-week ceasefire was announced in the war in Iran, but analysts warn that prices remain inflated compared to their pre-war levels and will take more time to return to normality.—
Will Clark,
NBC news,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While CinemaCon 2026 brought us exciting news about new films, it was also bogged down with status quo nothings about how Amazon MGM still hasn’t found a new James Bond.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
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When Dana, who, like Virginia, had been successful in writing pleasant but undistinguished nothings—in her case, songs for Billy Rose’s revues—decided to try taking on more serious music by studying with Boulanger, Virginia entered a deep downward spiral.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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After releasing two alluringly atmospheric final albums, Frozen and Notes Campfire, on a tiny German label, Souled American essentially vanished by the late ’90s, their discography sliding into out-of-print obscurity.—
Zach Schonfeld,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2026
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Aerosmith producer Jack Douglas rescued the group from obscurity after catching Cheap Trick’s act at a bowling alley in Waukesha, Wis.—
Marc Ballon,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Comment sections, therefore, are also important fields in which the acceptability of certain types of speech is tested and negotiated.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Who is providing the guardrails to mark the boundaries of acceptability?—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 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
-
The yoga platform looking out over the Himalayan range through lofty pines gives a fresh resonance to the concept of a mountain pose asana and to bhramari, honey-bee breathing exercises taken with the actual insect community humming vibrantly around the ears.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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The addition of the Kevlar core allowed the fiber to resist deformation and store enough energy to double its jumping height, which matches the capabilities of soil-dwelling insects like springtails.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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On one side, a satanic figure named Randall Flagg who gathers his forces of badness to Las Vegas; on the other, the good guys, led by 108-year-old Mother Abigail in, of all places, Boulder.—
Barbara Ellis,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
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The show premiered over Thanksgiving weekend, when people were tired and full and bored (and probably also horny), and countered our world’s unceasing badness with its world’s buoyant sweetness.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Nobody wanted to go there — well, except the oil and gas companies aching to root around for black gold, and their most loyal minions in high places.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
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Israel is also a part of the ceasefire but was subjected to a last-minute barrage of missile attacks today from Iran and its minions.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mediocrity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mediocrity. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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