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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 subpar Their offense is inconsistent, and outside of Garrett Crochet, their starting rotation has been subpar. Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025 These are usually towels that are thin and stitched with weak, subpar quality threads. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025 If Ohio State and Michigan are both mediocre, the Big Ten will be viewed as having a subpar season. Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 6 June 2025 In times past, the Vatican Bank had a subpar reputation for voluntary compliance with financial transparency initiatives. Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for subpar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subpar
Adjective
  • The use of unilateral sanctions against Special Rapporteurs or any other UN expert or official is unacceptable.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
  • Students, both the ones who behave and the ones who misbehave, need to know that there are real consequences for unacceptable behavior.
    Carrie Lukas, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • This last group is those with still poor (<50) RS Ratings, but strong (>80) 3-month RS Ratings. a.
    Randy Watts, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • Here are the inspection scores and violations for restaurants within the city limits of Arlington for June 29th - July 5th, 2025 A score of 100 is a perfect score and 70 is considered to be extremely poor.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 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
  • For instance, Putignano says there’s nothing wrong with expecting a teen to clean their room, just as your parents expected of you.
    Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 15 July 2025
  • There is nothing wrong with having adapted in this way.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Earlier this month, employees at the Environmental Protection Agency, filed their own letter, with even worse results; 140 of them were placed on administrative leave.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 22 July 2025
  • Making the timing of this move even worse, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, the nation’s most high-profile banker, is warning that private credit funds may be heading for a 2008-style crisis.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • According to a Science Direct article, Western diets are deficient in fiber and essential micronutrients, contributing to gut imbalances, chronic inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction.
    Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
  • Something like 95 percent of people are deficient in fiber.
    Hali Bey Ramdene, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • There will be four questions related to easing the city’s terrible housing shortage, all useful and needed, and one useless question about moving our local elections from odd years, like this present year, to presidential contest years.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 21 July 2025
  • But when terrible news arrives about her ex, all eyes turn to Ana — whose reputation isn't exactly sterling.
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • Getting your car stolen is a horrible experience, but there are ways to deter theft and steps to follow if your vehicle is stolen.
    Charles Singh, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
  • Too Much follows Megan Stalter as Jessica, a producer who's just been broken up with by her horrible ex-boyfriend.
    Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 11 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Subpar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subpar. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!