SO-SO Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

so-so 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of so-so

as in decent

of average to below average quality a so-so production of a great play

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

so-so

2 of 2

adverb

ˈsō-ˈsō

as in good

in a satisfactory way I think I did so-so on the test

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 so-so

Adjective

Is solid production in the AHL and abroad, but so-so results in the NHL now worth a long-term deal at $4 million per year? — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Moreover, the battery life is lacking, the camera is so-so, and the speaker isn't great for listening to calls or media. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026

Adverb

The right shot can truly take an item from so-so to incredible looking in no time. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 22 June 2026 Within Nanjiani’s so-so performance is a cautionary tale about Taskmaster’s recent casting methods and what this show both requires from, and owes to, its competitors. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for so-so

Recent Examples of Synonyms for so-so

Adjective

Even the smallest Essential rooms are a decent size; some, such as Poolside, have a generous, curved balcony overlooking the action below.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026
Much of that growth is expected to occur on the north, south and east sides of the city, where there’s still a decent amount of open space.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of decent

Adverb

Yet underneath the surface of this mostly good-spirited fun—and my apologies for being the fun police—lies a layer of homophobia and, yes, misogyny.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026
Sixteen candidates are competing for three at-large seats on the Los Angeles Community College District board, with broad agreement that students need more support for basic needs and pathways to good-paying jobs.

— Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of good

Adjective

They were blown out 31-3 by Ole Miss, lost to what's clearly a mediocre Mississippi State team, though at least that was with Kamario Taylor, but their big win over Florida now looks much less impressive considering the Gators' collapse.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
The best, the least mediocre, unfortunately, is Tadao Ando, the better of whose work derives from Kahn, the plain modular rectangles made of concrete framed by verticals and, less clear even in Kahn, the geometric cuts and sections.

— Julian Rose, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of mediocre

Adverb

Even new food is on the menu in a bid to attract customers, with Delta and United debuting a slew of fine-dining dishes ready and waiting to hit the skies.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2026
This year, previous entries to the list such as The Ledbury—a fine-dining beauty in London, United Kingdom where chef Brett Graham marries British produce, Japanese flavours, and French culinary techniques—returns to the list in the number 83 spot.

— Nathan Tavares, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of fine

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

Adverb

Motorists were able to get around alright within individual cities and towns, but there was no decent network connecting them.

— Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
Though the spacecraft seemed to work alright, the crew got a little snippy during their 11 days in space.

— Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of alright

Adverb

Make sure to cook until nicely golden brown and to pick up a bottle of Buttermilk Ranch (near the bagged salads) to accompany.

— Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
Plus, given the bride and groom’s cultural backgrounds, an east-meets-west theme fit nicely with Istanbul’s location and history.

— Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of nicely

Browse Nearby Words

sort (through)

so-so

sot

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“So-so.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/so-so. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of so-so

adjective

adverb

Example Sentences

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