SECOND-RATE Synonyms: 182 Similar and Opposite Words

second-rate

adjective

ˌse-kən(d)-ˈrāt

Definition of second-rate

as in decent

of average to below average quality a second-rate song from a songwriter who has done much better

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in inferior

of little or less value or merit a second-rate company that was never considered among the top manufacturers of televisions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cheap

of low quality second-rate goods specifically manufactured for the low end of the market

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 second-rate The current system buys shareholder returns for the primes and second-rate capability for those in uniform. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026 The animation features a lot of rotoscoping, and the result is an aesthetic that’s both oddly fluid and charmingly cheap, like some second-rate Ralph Bakshi effort. — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026 LaFleur could never find the winning formula during Green Bay’s second-rate, 8-9 season in 2022, then Gutekunst traded Rodgers to the New York Jets 3 ½ months later. — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 15 Mar. 2026 For those who don't know his story, Darnold has gone through so much during his last eight seasons, including being pushed around the league like a second-rate quarterback and being called a bust by many in the profession. — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for second-rate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for second-rate

Adjective

The activists who once demanded radical change begin worrying about their children’s safety, their schools, and whether the neighborhood is a decent place to grow up.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026
Each tier receives different benefits, but even the lowester level (Green) still gets a decent amount of perks.

— Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of decent

Adjective

The idea is to sound like an inferior buck in the brush, one that is roaming around a mature deer’s space and getting on his nerves.

— Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 14 Oct. 2026
Only 272 yards, at home, against a UCLA team that unquestionably has inferior talent?

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of inferior

Adjective

The best seats will be the cheapest There is a wide spread in the available prices for tickets to see U2 on their 2027 tour.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
The federal government was preparing to change its rules on low-value imports, threatening her ability to purchase cheaper prescription medications for blood thinning and heart failure from Canada.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of cheap

Adjective

Roan also adds an new verse to the song, slightly changing the lyrics to reference a mediocre female suitor alongside Rodrigo’s original lines.

— Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
Neither release became a theatrical phenomenon, but each earned more than $40 million worldwide — suggesting even mediocre horror films can get respectable returns when their premises are appealing enough.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of mediocre

Adjective

Charlie Weasley is a minor character in the books and does not appear in the films, so the HBO series is straying from the movies regarding Ron Weasley’s older brother.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026
If winner is deemed to be a minor under the jurisdiction of his/her residence, the prize will be awarded in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian who must execute the necessary affidavit and release and, if applicable,.

— Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of minor

Adjective

Disease that has spread to those organs is associated with poorer treatment outcomes.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
They were frustrated with teacher shortages and poor conditions at schools, including overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated buildings.

— James Cirrone , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

Why not, then, return to 2016 spending amounts which seemed satisfactory at the time?

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Harriot quickly found a convenient formula for how many were arranged in a square pyramid based on the number in the bottom row and was able to present Raleigh with a satisfactory solution.

— Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of satisfactory

Adjective

Or the sexologist who makes a mean flan and knows how to push people’s buttons in ‘The Invite’?

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Some of the interactions are so sweet, and then some of them are a little bit more embarrassing or aggressive or mean.

— Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2026