SUBOPTIMAL Synonyms: 177 Similar and Opposite Words

suboptimal

adjective

ˌsəb-ˈäp-tə-məl

Definition of suboptimal

as in unacceptable

falling short of a standard yes, living on junk food generally means that you have a suboptimal diet

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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 suboptimal The home-and-home approach is wholly unprecedented and slightly suboptimal. — Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026 Even from my extremely suboptimal vantage point in the very front corner of the theater, I was awed by the depth and crispness of the 3D imagery. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2026 The Mets are continuing to forge ahead with the team built by Stearns and managed by Mendoza, despite suboptimal results. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026 Avoid costly financial moves Planning ahead for financial setbacks reduces the likelihood that you’ll be forced into making a suboptimal decision. — Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suboptimal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suboptimal

Adjective

Democrats have called it an unacceptable gift from a foreign government that is barred by the Constitution, as what is called an emolument.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Should England go on to win their quarterfinal or entire tournament, their run will be tainted by this scandal, forever laden with an asterisk over this unacceptable atrocity.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of unacceptable

Adjective

Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to insufficient or poor sleep, compromising the immune system, increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease and diminishing cognitive performance.

— Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
On top of this, subterranean drip systems often clog with mineral deposits, sediment, and algae, which Nad warns may eventually require repairs or replacement of portions of the system, particularly in areas with hard water or poor filtration.

— Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 13 July 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

Under rules brought in for the World Cup, the reviewable decisions and incidents now include mistaken identity when the referee shows a yellow or red card but clearly penalises the wrong player of either team.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Even when Romanzy goes off on how stupid and ugly Caleb is — and gossips that his parents abandoned him because something must be wrong with him — Mary goes along with it.

— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026

Definition of wrong

Adjective

Despite concerns that California’s costs and regulations are bad for business, the state has attracted an unprecedented pile of capital this year, and no other state is even close.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
The Giants are now 39-54 this season, two games up on Colorado (38-57) for the worst record in the NL and second-worst in MLB.

— Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 10 July 2026

Definition of bad

Adjective

Drought covered virtually the entire Plains, destroying crops with deficient rainfall, high temperatures, high winds, insect infestations and dust storms.

— Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 4 July 2026
Many people included in these studies may not have been deficient in vitamin D or calcium to begin with.

— Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 1 July 2026

Definition of deficient

Adjective

Instead of doubling down on a flawed system, policymakers can make gradual changes by introducing new tax categories in the existing framework and imposing taxes that correspond to the alcoholic content of that category.

— Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
The company says the claims contain flawed conclusions and rejects the characterization of the technology as a botnet.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of flawed

Browse Nearby Words

subnormal

suboptimal

subordinate

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“Suboptimal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suboptimal. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of suboptimal

adjective

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