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 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

Both oxides are already known to be decent catalysts individually.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026
When brand new entry-level telescopes start at a few hundred dollars, the idea of getting anything decent for pocket change sounds like a pipe dream.

— Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of decent

Adjective

An investor who bought apartments in a great city and an investor who bought single-family rentals in a mediocre one ended 2025 in very different positions, and the map explains neither outcome.

— Tony Julianelle, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
For the most part, this tax asymmetry triggers only mediocre productivity gains.

— Daron Acemoglu, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026

Definition of mediocre

Adjective

In the Kyiv region, five people were wounded in the Brovary district, including a minor and two women, acting regional administration head Ruslan Oliinyk said on Facebook.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Anthony Joseph Ramon, 25, of Gilroy, was first arrested on July 9 and charged with committing lewd and lascivious acts on a minor, according to the Morgan Hill Police Department.

— Jason Green, Mercury News, 30 July 2026

Definition of minor

Adjective

Covid-19 wasn’t immediately recognized as a disease with airborne transmission with the potential to spread beyond the 6-foot social distancing measure, especially in places with poor ventilation or around activities with heavy breathing.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Crepe myrtles may not bloom due to poor pruning, low light, watering issues, weak soil, or pests.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

This matters because ringing up more sales outside the morning coffee rush can help keep Starbucks’ comps growing at satisfactory clips as year-over-year comparisons get tougher.

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 30 July 2026
Police responses can also lead to trauma for that person or a less satisfactory outcome than another community service response would produce, Duckett said.

— Scott Maucione, NPR, 27 July 2026

Definition of satisfactory

Adjective

In fact, an evening walk may help travelers avoid some of the hot afternoon sun since the mean maximum temperatures sits at a whopping 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Park Service (NPS).

— Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2026
In 2023, that index was just shy of 97, meaning the mean family could afford a home.

— Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 July 2026