as in decent
of average to below average quality
a so-so production of a great play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
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
Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
The Dolphins appear to be so-so, somewhere in the 8-, 9- or 10-win territory but, more importantly, nowhere near winning a playoff game.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 15 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
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
The Dolphins appear to be so-so, somewhere in the 8-, 9- or 10-win territory but, more importantly, nowhere near winning a playoff game.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for so-so
Recent Examples of Synonyms for so-so
Adjective
-
Before the hit, Ketler had a decent amount of muscle mass from his intensive training schedule and working in landscaping the summer before, which his doctors would later tell him probably saved his life.—
Luke Chinman,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Safety in school might mean a decent cafeteria lunch, or access to a nurse down the hall, or being treated with dignity regardless of one’s gender identity.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
3 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Hochul touted the program as a way to expand access to higher education and good-paying jobs, strengthen the state’s workforce, and invest in community colleges.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Shake it up good and don’t over dress it!—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Many will no longer accept mediocre or sub-par service.—
Shep Hyken,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
West Virginia finished the 2024 season with a mediocre 6-7 record in the Big 12.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
His best cuisine intuitions and concoctions served as part of the hotel’s fine-dining experience stem not from standing at the stovetop but from plenty of solo time spent pedaling his bicycle across Italian hilltops — music in the ears, pulse racing fast and nature all around him.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Guests can savor elevated dining at Salt, the property’s fine-dining restaurant renowned for fresh oysters and innovative coastal cuisine.—
Cassidy Randall,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
On a scale of one to five, an average or satisfactory experience is a three.—
Shep Hyken,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Of those, six — including five children — are in satisfactory condition.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Los Angeles has already gone through two months of middling offensive production, even with Smith producing well enough to contend for the batting title.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Many technology firms have been piling AI features onto existing stacks, showing middling results.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high and swirl to coat skillet.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Barissimo Apple Crisp Ground Coffee This $7 blend combines medium-roast coffee with notes of baked apple and cinnamon crumble for a beverage that feels like dessert in a mug.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
This worked nicely in my open living room and now serves as the focal point of the space, with a set of two accent chairs completing the floating furniture layout.—
Blake Bakkila,
Architectural Digest,
3 Sep. 2025
-
And all the various mysteries come to a head in the final two episodes and are wrapped up nicely.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“So-so.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/so-so. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share