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
as in good
in a satisfactory way
I think I did so-so on the test
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of so-so
Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2023
Small turned in a so-so performance, allowing four hits, two runs and four walks with four strikeouts in 2⅔ innings and ultimately didn't earn a decision in a Brewers victory.
—Todd Rosiak, Journal Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2023
Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Nov. 2025
And solid exit scores among moviegoers are more than making up for so-so reviews, including a B+ CinemaScore and an 80 percent audience ranking on Rotten Tomatoes.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for so-so
Adjective
His results, both in the big leagues and the minors over the past two seasons, have been so-so at best.
—Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2023
Small turned in a so-so performance, allowing four hits, two runs and four walks with four strikeouts in 2⅔ innings and ultimately didn't earn a decision in a Brewers victory.
—Todd Rosiak, Journal Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2023
Adverb
Dylan Cease’s so-so walk year doesn’t appear to have cost him in free agency.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Nov. 2025
And solid exit scores among moviegoers are more than making up for so-so reviews, including a B+ CinemaScore and an 80 percent audience ranking on Rotten Tomatoes.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for so-so
Recent Examples of Synonyms for so-so
Adjective
-
The money could also help towards landing Alvarez, but alternatively perhaps acquire a decent full back available at a cut rate considering Joao Cancelo is only in Catalonia on loan too.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The Huskies have decent depth at the position in three-star incoming freshman Bo Polston, who was the first of several players to flip his commitment from Toledo, and Tucker McDonald, who pulled his name from the portal to stay in Storrs for his redshirt junior season.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
21 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Young people have greater access to college at all levels and are prepared for good-paying jobs through apprenticeships.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
9 Jan. 2026
-
There’s no shame in combining two colors that look berry good together.—
Essence,
Essence,
15 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
And what this array of talents had gotten them was a shitty job in a town outside Munich in the second division of a mediocre German league.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The final conclusion on the draftees and free agents is likely similar to the final conclusion on each these seasons — mediocre-ish.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
In the cloud services market, 2026 is likely to be a year of nuance and divergences, as the influence of AI on the cloud services and infrastructure markets becomes more fine-grained.—
R. Scott Raynovich,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Seed-starting mix is a special form of soilless potting mix that is especially porous and fine-grained.—
Kerry Michaels,
The Spruce,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Air quality is satisfactory and air pollution poses little or no risk.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
15 Jan. 2026
-
And yet no analytical framework ever yields a fully satisfactory result.—
Amir Ahmadi Arian,
The Dial,
15 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Did alright in the Championship (on loan to Burnley) last season but physicality is an issue.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
2 Jan. 2026
-
Things were looking alright for the Giants, who saw a huge momentum boost at the end of the first half with Minnesota looking set to go to the break with a 13-3 lead.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
22 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
His return would yield middling results — the Dolphins went 5-4 but lost key matchups to the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans — before he once again was injured, this time with a hip.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The results nationally, however, are middling.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Other reviewers appreciate the sweater’s relaxed silhouette that drapes nicely without looking baggy.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Inside you’ll find a tasteful palette of light woods and maritime colors––sand, coral, azure––that nicely complement the drama seen through the floor-to-ceiling windows.—
Jesse Ashlock,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“So-so.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/so-so. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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