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

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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 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 Maybe then the United States will care about slipping to second-rate. — Noah Shachtman, Wired News, 13 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for second-rate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for second-rate

Adjective

This, the perfectly decent people of Kettleborough reasoned, was a natural and godly rebuke for Susan and Cuthbert’s sin.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
With fast charging capability, 60 hours of playback time, and a foldable design, the Q20i also offers high resolution sound, and very decent ANC performance.

— Carlos Mejia, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of decent

Adjective

The same can be said for TCU’s offense as well after the past two games against inferior opponents.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026
Beating the Titans on the road in Week 1 proved the Jets can take care of business against an inferior opponent.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of inferior

Adjective

As the currency appreciates, imports — which play a significant role in the economy — become cheaper.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026
About seven months ago, the average 30-year mortgage rate briefly dipped below 6% for the first time in years, prompting hopes that cheaper borrowing would finally unfreeze the housing market.

— Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of cheap

Adjective

Because of the drought, woodland deer food is not abundant in most of the state this year, and what exists is in poor condition with low nutritional value.

— Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
The Maracana's turf has been a concern for almost two weeks due to its poor shape amid a long season in Brazilian soccer.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

There may never be a satisfactory explanation for the WNBA’s insistence on abandoning such a loyal, durable fanbase, but the fans didn’t come to Mohegan Sun Arena one last time to ask why.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026
This is not a satisfactory outcome for anyone — not people experiencing homelessness, the surrounding community or the institutions serving vulnerable Chicagoans.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of satisfactory

Adjective

The mean score for the Peach State’s public school students was higher than the national average for the ninth year in a row, Georgia Department of Education officials said in a news release Tuesday.

— Eric Stirgus, AJC.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Related Stories Cruise, declaiming every line, acting with blind bluster and a mean gleam of good-ol’-boy joy, makes Digger a walking cartoon — a larger-than-life satire of over-the-top American arrogance, like LBJ crossed with Foghorn Leghorn.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026