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
Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
The so-so news: All new car and truck buyers who take out a car loan won't qualify for the deduction.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 4 June 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
Bottom line: April was a so-so month, with imports taking a plunge and the deficit shrinking significantly from March.
—Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
The so-so news: All new car and truck buyers who take out a car loan won't qualify for the deduction.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for so-so
Recent Examples of Synonyms for so-so
Adjective
-
Fields had a decent season with the Steelers, going 4-2 before he was replaced by Russell Wilson.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
-
Start by rolling them on a countertop with a decent amount of pressure; doing so helps release the lemon juice from its membranes.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
23 June 2025
Adverb
-
Ours is set in a modern world while subverting the audiences expectations given the character has personified good since its inception.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
10 May 2024
-
Ethics and dangers are obvious concerns, but it shouldn’t be overlooked that AI has the potential to do profound good beyond pithy conversation with some chatbot.—
Steven Aquino,
Forbes,
13 Nov. 2023
Adjective
-
While the pressure will be on for Switzerland to improve their mediocre tournament record, there is only one way to make diamonds (hint: starts with p and ends in ressure).—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
-
Harrison, the key player for the Red Sox insofar as immediate return, has been a mediocre (4.48 ERA in 35 starts) mid-rotation starter for the Giants.—
Bill Madden,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2025
Adverb
-
These socks come in two sizes: Small/medium and large/extra large, and as a size 9, the small/medium size fit me just fine.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
22 June 2025
-
The Yankees have come back fine from that so far, the last week notwithstanding.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
At highway cruising speed, the SUV is satisfactory.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
16 June 2025
-
The sound from the optional Bose 12-speaker upgrade is satisfactory.—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
The brightness and color reproduction are lackluster, almost as if Acer deliberately found the most middling budget screen possible.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
27 June 2025
-
Does his 1960s childhood resemble mine in the 1970s because my native Dublin lagged behind the times, trailing even a middling English town?—
Book Marks
June 26,
Literary Hub,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Celery 95% water, 3.9 oz of water per three medium stalks6 Celery contains several powerful antioxidants known to fend off free radicals, compounds formed naturally in your body from normal metabolism and exposure to environmental pollutants.—
Cynthia Sass,
Health,
23 June 2025
-
Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
Her exercises, lifted from decades of performance scores, are designed to turn ordinary acts into meditative rituals.—
Ellen O'Connell Whittet
June 25,
Literary Hub,
25 June 2025
-
Unlike ordinary memory supplements, Neuriva Memory 3D has clinically tested ingredients to support three dimensions of memory: short-term, long-term and working.—
Adam Mills,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“So-so.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/so-so. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share