as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard the service at the restaurant was subpar, to say the least

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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 subpar The Lakers also needed to take care of the ball against an opponent that relies heavily on transition opportunities to make up for its subpar half-court offense. Khobi Price, Oc Register, 1 Apr. 2025 The Problem For Users Improper verification systems result in a subpar user experience—one characterized by spam and irrelevant content—which directly affects a platform’s reputation and, thus, new sign-ups and retention. Rodger Desai, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025 But most of these redemption options provide a subpar value of less than one cent per point. Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2025 Baltimore Orioles The Orioles were fourth in the majors in runs scored last season and did that despite a subpar year from catcher Adley Rutschman and dismal rookie campaign by second baseman Jackson Holliday. Jim Bowden, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for subpar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subpar
Adjective
  • All these attacks are unacceptable, and this isn't just an American problem.
    Mandalit del Barco, NPR, 13 May 2025
  • That should be unacceptable to American negotiators.
    Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns each added 23 points and OG Anunoby bounced back from two poor performances by scoring 20 for the Knicks, who can win the series Wednesday night at Boston.
    Brian Mahoney, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2025
  • This results in a very poor Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 232.7% (against 21.5% for the S&P 500).
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.
    Kevin Fisher-Paulson, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2021
  • My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.
    Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
  • Ship was heading the wrong direction The training ship arrived at New York's Pier 17 and was open to the public to visit from May 13 to 17, according to the Mexican Consulate in New York.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • The Final Destination: The NASCAR incident The opening disaster of The Final Destination is a NASCAR race gone horribly wrong.
    Keith Langston, People.com, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • To say that 2024 is an excellent vintage or a bad vintage is not true.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • The Celtics never have a bad defender on the court.
    James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • Those who are deficient in magnesium are more likely to have anemia.
    Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 8 May 2025
  • However, the team continues through the postseason, things could be tougher as other teams won't be as deficient in the frontcourt as the Lakers.
    Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Transgender kids, especially under the current president, are facing terrible rights losses and bigotry.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025
  • Such legislation is meant to destabilize Pakistan’s internal politics, which is in no one’s interests, except those who promoted such a terrible idea in the first place.
    Christopher Shays, New York Daily News, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • However, her tragic demise spooks and haunts Jen, since her death is incredibly horrible and sad, rocking the whole Capesode community.
    Lisa Stardust, People.com, 14 May 2025
  • Jurors viewed for a fifth time in two days the video footage of the horrible beating that followed.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Subpar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subpar. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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