suboptimal

adjective

ˌsəb-ˈäp-tə-məl
Definition of suboptimalnext
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard yes, living on junk food generally means that you have a suboptimal diet

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 suboptimal But Halle Berry could not be left alone, and addressing this first thing would rob Williams of a couple hours of sleep, which was suboptimal given the demanding nature of her job. — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 The article suggests that stress narrows judgment, pushing leaders towards quick, often suboptimal, choices driven by discomfort rather than clear thinking. — Alfonso Cahero, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The risk is that some of the most popular kinds of motor oil will be in very short supply, forcing drivers to delay getting their oil changed or rely on suboptimal lubricants. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 19 May 2026 The home-and-home approach is wholly unprecedented and slightly suboptimal. — Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for suboptimal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suboptimal
  1. unacceptable
  2. poor
  3. wrong
  4. lame
  5. bad
  6. deficient
  7. flawed
Adjective
  • That’s an unacceptable delay for units in active combat operations.
    — Nir Goldstein, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The algorithm is designed to prevent planners from choosing a technically suitable location that may be unacceptable to the people living or working nearby.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of unacceptable
Adjective
  • The following season, Chelsea topped their Champions League group, but poor Premier League form saw Mourinho sacked in mid-December.
    — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Many are in poor shape, with thin, uninsulated walls, leaky windows, old or broken swamp coolers and electrical systems that can't always handle air conditioners.
    — Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of poor
Adjective
  • But asking whether the problem is useful is the wrong question, Verhoeff argues.
    — Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 5 Sep. 2026
  • That opening stunk, what was wrong with the traditional start of the show?
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of wrong
Adjective
  • Respondents questioned Dave Aranda’s roster construction, the program’s lack of identity and why everybody is pretending this isn’t a lame-duck season.
    — Manny Navarro, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Post-election powers Keisha Lance Bottoms has a message for Republicans who might be tempted to limit her powers in a lame-duck special session if the Democrat wins the race for governor in November.
    — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of lame
Adjective
  • Jeffrey Katzenberg, then a studio executive at Paramount Pictures, hand-picked the Happy Days star for the job, but at the time, Winkler had a bad feeling about accepting it.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
  • How many of us make things worse More seasoned Internet users—a fair number who read this site—are quick to dismiss the attack.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • Yet researchers have found that nearly a third of adults in the United States are iron deficient.
    — Anahad O’Connor, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In a deficient area, the exception is exposed, and to last, the exception must be exceptional somewhere else.
    — Zach Berman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of deficient
Adjective
  • And yet, when Szumowska and Englert portray Fyodor’s reaction to the couple’s pregnancy, the birth of their child, and a subsequent tragedy, Anna’s adoration for this utterly flawed man almost feels justified.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • But the diagnosis dominating today’s political discourse is fundamentally flawed.
    — Norbert J. Michel, Washington Post, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of flawed

Browse Nearby Words

subnormal
suboptimal
subordinate
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Cite this Entry

“Suboptimal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suboptimal. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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