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
Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
The biggest Wall Street banks delivered an only so-so diagnosis on the health of the economy.
—Sagarika Jaisinghani, Bloomberg, 17 Jan. 2026
Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Nov. 2025
And solid exit scores among moviegoers are more than making up for so-so reviews, including a B+ CinemaScore and an 80 percent audience ranking on Rotten Tomatoes.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for so-so
Adjective
Critics have snubbed the film, while audience exits are only so-so, including a B- CinemaScore.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
The biggest Wall Street banks delivered an only so-so diagnosis on the health of the economy.
—Sagarika Jaisinghani, Bloomberg, 17 Jan. 2026
Adverb
Dylan Cease’s so-so walk year doesn’t appear to have cost him in free agency.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Nov. 2025
And solid exit scores among moviegoers are more than making up for so-so reviews, including a B+ CinemaScore and an 80 percent audience ranking on Rotten Tomatoes.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for so-so
Recent Examples of Synonyms for so-so
Adjective
-
Their rubber outsole has decent traction to get me there and back (way better than flip flops), and the interior synthetic dries quickly.—
Lisa Jhung,
Outside,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Whether for noshing in their natural, juicy and delicious form, or for turning into any number of tasty dishes—applesauce, apple pie, apple butter, and so many more—apples are a relatively inexpensive fruit that typically have a decent shelf life and convenience factor that’s hard to beat.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Those investments have strengthened our infrastructure, expanded affordable housing, supported our schools, and created good-paying union jobs throughout the First District and across Connecticut.—
Dayle Blue,
Hartford Courant,
5 Mar. 2026
-
This is especially true in Michigan, where tariffs have caused uncertainty across our critical automotive sector, slowed economic growth, and threatened good-paying jobs.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The mediocre Queen biopic remains one of the most head-scratching best picture nominees in recent memory.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Tua’s glory years, the 2022-25 seasons, added up to a mediocre 35-35 record, including an 0-2 mark in the playoffs as Tua and his cohorts were constantly outplayed and outcoached in games against playoff-caliber teams.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The cheese, though, is white Prairie Breeze, shaved fine and mounded like a snowdrift atop the bowl.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The dress code stays casual (jeans and sneakers work fine).—
Taylor Haught,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
While Adam Poole facially resembles Scheider, he is only allowed to do so much and does so in a satisfactory way.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The regulations allow the stewards to take other circumstances, like satisfactory lap times, into consideration.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
But things have gotten a little more uptight than alright with Moy’s family.—
Gary Graff,
Billboard,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Robinson Briand says her client is alright after seeking medical care following her release, but the damage is lasting.—
Derek James,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Chicago traded away any hint of cohesion, weary of a middling cycle that perpetually sent it to the Play-In Tournament.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
After years of middling numbers, labor productivity increased in 2025.—
Allison Schrager,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
So disguised as a beggar, Odysseus shows up at his palace, and he is not treated very nicely by the suitors who have camped out in his house.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
For Homer, the case is coming together nicely and straightforwardly.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“So-so.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/so-so. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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