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
For all its limitations, mediocrity is immeasurably superior to ceaseless ambition, the need always for superlative achievement.
—
Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 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
Like Muscle Man, Mixtape follows a self-important, inarticulate mediocrity on the fringe of a minor American metropolis.
—Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
One month ago, they were resigned to another season of mediocrity.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mediocrity
Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 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
Like Muscle Man, Mixtape follows a self-important, inarticulate mediocrity on the fringe of a minor American metropolis.
—Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
One month ago, they were resigned to another season of mediocrity.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mediocrity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mediocrity
Noun
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Strength in this area transcends all career levels and separates excellence from normality.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Omar’s office is characterized by pristine normality — with its glass walls and desktop computers, its phones and its headsets.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
My memoir was built of gaps, juxtaposition, weird little nothings.—
Cheri Lucas Rowlands,
Longreads,
16 Dec. 2024
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But nothings more peaceful than tomorrow to a man going through pain today.—
Becca Longmire,
Peoplemag,
22 Feb. 2024
Noun
-
Daisy Jones & the Six chronicles the rise and fall of a group fronted by two charismatic lead singers—Daisy Jones and Billy Dunne—and their journey from obscurity to fame, complete with romantic tensions, personal crises, and drug problems.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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As national headlines rightfully celebrated Parks’ courage and the charismatic leadership of King in fomenting and sustaining the boycott, Gilmore continued to cook in quiet obscurity.—
Time,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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However, political observers and those on the right know that Kirk, as founder of Turning Point USA, was at heart an activist who transformed conservative youth politics through his robust organizing network and, in the process, changed the social acceptability of Trumpism among America's youth.—
Alex J. Rouhandeh,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
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From my perspective, the real measure of acceptability isn't whether AI assisted in the process, but whether the final output demonstrates sound reasoning, originality and accuracy.—
Morey Haber,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Declining bat populations could have real consequences for us, given the important role bats play in insect control, seed dispersal, and pollination.—
NPR,
NPR,
8 Nov. 2025
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Outdoor treatments are designed to reduce mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects that can make backyards difficult to enjoy.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Some eager minion jumped the gun and published in the morning what was supposed to be the post-ceremony press release announcing the winners.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
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Miami should have purged the roster even more, shipping off starters for draft picks, but apparently none of the bids enticed Ross and his minions, who are the individuals really calling the shots now.—
Omar Kelly
November 4,
Miami Herald,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Balle’s prose—repetitive, hypnotic, and as balanced as a small plane—sustains an atmosphere of illuminated ordinariness.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
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Theresa is easy not to notice in everyday life, and Keaton tapped into that ordinariness, along with the wanderlust that gripped so many discontented antiheroes of the 1970s.—
Tim Grierson,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The title especially stings for the many survivors of violence and persecution under Suharto’s rule – and the families of his victims.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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In an email, Victoria Police confirmed the victims were a 33-year-old woman and a 7-year-old boy from Doveton.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mediocrity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mediocrity. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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