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
-
Newcastle’s Under-18s are third in their league which, on the face of it, looks decent, but winning is not everything.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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There's some decent rain chances the rest of the week, so keep an umbrella handy.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
That’s usually workers in high-skill, good-paying industries or top performers in lower-wage sectors.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
29 Sep. 2025
-
This could be a catalyst for hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs right here in America.—
Peter Welch,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In an era when executive compensation philosophy is often criticized for rewarding mediocre performance or short-term thinking at the expense of long-term strategy, Tesla’s approach stands out for its rigor and emphasis on accountability.—
Shane Goodwin,
Fortune,
14 Oct. 2025
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For every National Business Solutions and Darmine Devices that appear impenetrable in their genericness, there’s a small-time local establishment finding a way to sell a mediocre product to Robinson.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
13 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Holland, who has logged in from a London hotel, tells Downey he's been back on the film set for several days and is doing fine.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
10 Oct. 2025
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But Lwin says that commercial boats would work just fine in the defense sector, too.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This pair, in particular, earned high praise from senior shopping writer Alyssa Grabinski for its satisfactory support and cushioning, which aided her when embarking on daily walks.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
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These results were satisfactory for integrated graphics—better than some of its counterparts on some tests, and worse on others—and not quite as powerful as Apple’s M4.—
Matthew Buzzi,
PC Magazine,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Dedicated fans who have come back again and again despite some middling teams.—
Marc Weiszer,
Athens Banner-Herald,
14 Oct. 2025
-
It’s been about a decade since gun-violence restraining orders were enabled by California law, but their use is still middling in the state, according to data from the California Department of Justice.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Did alright in the Championship last season but physicality is an issue.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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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
-
In a large bowl beat butter with a mixer on medium 30 seconds.—
Jenavieve Christensen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Oct. 2025
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These hoops are not too big or too flashy, and, for me, the medium pair is the absolute perfect weight and size.—
Kristy Alpert,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“So-so.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/so-so. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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