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
Congress’s lower chamber has always contained its share of mediocrities.
—
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Because the truth is the Kennedy Center, when considered as a piece of architecture, has long been renowned for its mediocrity.
—Christopher Robbins, Curbed, 9 Feb. 2026
How about even bedroom orderliness mediocrity?
—Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
This was back in the early days of life without Dan Marino, back before the Dolphins were lost deep in the wilderness, before the two-decade ride on the mediocrity merry-go-round.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mediocrity
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Because the truth is the Kennedy Center, when considered as a piece of architecture, has long been renowned for its mediocrity.
—Christopher Robbins, Curbed, 9 Feb. 2026
How about even bedroom orderliness mediocrity?
—Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
This was back in the early days of life without Dan Marino, back before the Dolphins were lost deep in the wilderness, before the two-decade ride on the mediocrity merry-go-round.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mediocrity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mediocrity
Noun
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Away from the track, Friedrich is a working police officer, adding an air of normality to an all-time great athlete.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2026
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But after such an odd week to start F1’s on-track running in 2026, some normality will resume in two weeks at the first Bahrain test.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
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Why did her mom press so hard for the littlest of nothings?—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Mike, who has been half-pining for Daisy in obscurity this whole time, tries to kiss her.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Since then, Elizabeth has been as important to Copeland’s professional life as his personal life, co-founding a children’s theater school with him, arranging his music, and supporting him as he was launched from obscurity.—
Matthew Blackwell,
Pitchfork,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The second difference is acceptability.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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Local private players are learning that being US-aligned is becoming its own form of credibility, an argument for political acceptability and, potentially, financing access.—
Ruben Nyanguila,
semafor.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Soiled, Moldy, or Infested Items Clothing or furniture that smells of mildew, has visible stains, or has been stored in a rodent- or insect-infested environment should be discarded, never donated.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Feb. 2026
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The Lost Curio Marketplace will be filled with taxidermy, insects, macabre art, jewelry, home decor and more.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 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
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Instead, his minions, so afraid of earning his wrath, have remained quiet.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
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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
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Metcalf and Pullman are both wonderful in their shuffling ordinariness, reenacting long-obsolete parental dynamics with a kind of rueful, hopeful denial.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
-
This is a childhood that had all its ordinariness burned out of it by the linking of even seemingly trivial gestures (an offering of candy, a bath, a swim, the dust in a corner of a room) to an entire array of physical and mental agonies.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mediocrity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mediocrity. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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