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
Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The 7-1 loss put a bad finish on a so-so 6-6 showing on their four-city, 12-game, 14-day road trip.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 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
In other words, the team is so-so.
—Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The 7-1 loss put a bad finish on a so-so 6-6 showing on their four-city, 12-game, 14-day road trip.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for so-so
Recent Examples of Synonyms for so-so
Adjective
-
The University of Florida product made a decent impact his rookie season, appearing in 12 games and rushing 38 times for 161 yards and a touchdown.—
Noah Camras,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Meanwhile, food aboard the International Space Station and the Tiangong leaves much to be desired, with the menus reading like something more suited to iron rations for a Round Britain yacht race than a decent meal.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Kids should be learning skills that lead to good-paying jobs, not just memorizing answers for a test.—
Suzette Valladares,
Oc Register,
27 Oct. 2025
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The losers in this round are Toby and our not-so-perfect Tom, who struggles the entire episode, which is strange for a man who is that good-looking.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
How mediocre competitively balanced is the East right now?—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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And an example could have been made with one of the Dolphins’ mediocre starters.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Essa Led by chef Phil Marchant, Essa is pushing Brisbane’s fine-dining scene forward.—
Alli Forde,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Nov. 2025
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The film’s craft is similarly sophisticated, featuring sparse, atmospheric music from Vichaya Vatanasapt that wouldn’t be out of place in one of the film’s fine-dining establishments.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
To receive the senior rate, a person must apply to the Rogers Water Utilities and present satisfactory proof of age, such as a government issued identification card, driver's license, passport or birth certificate.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
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His plan and his answers in terms of navigating those name, image, and likeness waters were not viewed satisfactory enough.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Did alright in the Championship last season but physicality is an issue.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The stand-ins did alright, handing the Mariners a 3-2 setback for the Dodgers’ 91st win of the season.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There were lines around the block for the most middling of apartments; people were raising their own rents to try to get an edge over other applicants.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
5 Nov. 2025
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Alice, a middling student at a state university in Oklahoma, drifts from adolescent confusion into sleepless paranoia.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Adverb
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But the turnaround under Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg is still progressing nicely, driven by better execution on its 737 program.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
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In short, Beats Fit Pro blends punchy audio, a super-secure fit, and capable ANC in a tidy package that favors iPhone users while still playing nicely with Android for 26% off right now.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“So-so.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/so-so. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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