1
as in decent
of average to below average quality
a second-rate song from a songwriter who has done much better
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inferior
of little or less value or merit
a second-rate company that was never considered among the top manufacturers of televisions
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cheap
of low quality
second-rate goods specifically manufactured for the low end of the market
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of second-rate
The Hundred feels like a second-rate cartoon animation in comparison.
—
Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025
After years of being considered second-rate properties, both are back on the upswing thanks to the 2022 Hulu hit Prey and last year’s Alien: Romulus.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2025
Florence Pugh leads a new ragtag group of second-rate heroes that includes David Harbour’s Red Guardian and Wyatt Russell’s John Walker.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 11 July 2025
His appearance in Meghan’s [‘Baby Mama Dance’] video looked so second-rate.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-rate
Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025
After years of being considered second-rate properties, both are back on the upswing thanks to the 2022 Hulu hit Prey and last year’s Alien: Romulus.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2025
Florence Pugh leads a new ragtag group of second-rate heroes that includes David Harbour’s Red Guardian and Wyatt Russell’s John Walker.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 11 July 2025
His appearance in Meghan’s [‘Baby Mama Dance’] video looked so second-rate.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-rate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for second-rate
Adjective
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Like a romping rhino, the Supersports skirted the limits of decent behavior with an urge to charge every now and again.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
28 Oct. 2025
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The Browns ran with decent success at edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson, a frequent target of opposing run games, even when Chaisson did not align at his usual right outside linebacker position.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That's one child experiencing death by a thousand cuts with these inferior sequels.—
Chris Snellgrove,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
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But grit and resolve can only take a team so far when its active roster is inferior to many of its opponents, and that is the situation the red and gold currently face.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But cattle producers say importing cheaper beef abroad could threaten domestic agriculture in the long run.—
Mackensy Lunsford,
Nashville Tennessean,
23 Oct. 2025
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Gripen fighters have the reputation of being relatively cheap and easy to maintain and arm, and able to operate in austere conditions – using roads or even dirt roads for runways.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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While most scented soaps do a mediocre job of masking food smells with harsh, cheap fragrances, Naomi’s scrub neutralizes offending odors with bread-yeast enzymes, then leaves behind subtle, but incredibly luxurious notes of bergamot, black pepper, sandalwood, and ginger.—
Editors of Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
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The Blue Jays, on the other hand, have given their starting rotation a makeover in the postseason after getting mediocre results during the season.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Many of them see it as a serious sign of lack of compatibility, rather than a minor difference in opinion.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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Given the gale force NE'rly winds some minor soundside coastal flooding (up to 1-2 ft) may also occur starting with the Tue afternoon high tide cycle as well.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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There’s another element of the current concern regarding due process that relates to the fate of poor Cinna.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
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McDaniel’s debut album Lost Ones delves into his own story of growing up in a poor community in Kentucky, and dealing with mental health struggles, both personally and within his family — as well as McDaniel’s story of being saved during a past suicide attempt years ago.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Overall, the sound quality is comparable to that of a basic Bluetooth speaker—more than satisfactory for an AIO PC.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
15 Oct. 2025
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According to a poll conducted by the company, eight out of 10 users were happy with the experience, while another one in five described it as satisfactory.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Corddry will play Diaz’s mean boss at a book store, while Duplass plays a nice guy, potential romantic interest.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Oct. 2025
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Your goal isn’t to convince your husband his kids are mean.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Second-rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second-rate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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