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
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
-
The Padres might come to regret trading Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek, but another trade deadline acquisition, Freddy Fermin, has provided a decent upgrade at a position of glaring weakness.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
-
One is the character of the factory owner, Baek Joo-sang, who has a very dark, hidden side to him, but who is also considered a good boss and decent person by the people around him.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
9 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
-
Never follow your boyfriend to college, especially a seemingly mediocre college, as Belly does with Jeremiah to the fictional Finch.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
-
There’s enough blame to fill what’s left of the world’s melting glaciers after this debacle of an opener in which the Dolphins were dominated, 33-8, by a mediocre Colts team and looks further from contention than any time this decade.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
The latter is a fine-dining experience named after the resort’s ethos—Celebrate Happiness, Explain Sadness.—
Caitlin Palumbo,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Matthew Stafford’s back held up fine.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Since its premiere in 2011, Downton Abbey has bid audiences adieu a few times — first, with its television finale after six seasons; then, over the course of two films, any one of which could have been a satisfactory conclusion for this cadre of characters.—
Mekishana Pierre September 11,
EW.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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While the golf course renovation was not satisfactory to many people, it was needed.—
Steven Franck,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This team was outcoached and outperformed against a team that is expected to be middling at best.—
Mike Kaye
September 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
What happened between the Raiders getting clobbered and hitting cruise control is what allows middling teams like them — and the Patriots — to ascend mediocrity.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Before the war began, the leading militaries focused on larger, expensive, medium to long-range models.—
Joseph Nepomuceno,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Sep. 2025
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For most traders, the action is concentrated in the short to medium part of the curve.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Parker supplies a ready solution that nicely dovetails with Kennedy’s hostility toward vaccines, and pharmaceutical interventions against disease in general.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Blunt could emerge as a strong supporting actress contender, in a category that hasn’t presented a standout frontrunner yet, and could pair nicely with Johnson’s big run.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“So-so.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/so-so. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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