ˌsəb-ˈäp-tə-məl
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
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Recent Examples of suboptimal
There will be a natural temptation, though, to kick the can with a suboptimal nuclear deal, which would be a mistake.
—
The Editors, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
More than 300 studies show consistent associations between lower socioeconomic status and suboptimal sleep health.
—American Heart Association News, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2025
Even professional fund managers, equipped with research and resources, often fall prey to these same psychological traps, resulting in suboptimal performance driven by emotional rather than rational decisions.
—True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
From the beginning, production challenges included procuring resources and filming during suboptimal weather.
—Amber Dowling, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suboptimal
The Editors, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
More than 300 studies show consistent associations between lower socioeconomic status and suboptimal sleep health.
—American Heart Association News, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2025
Even professional fund managers, equipped with research and resources, often fall prey to these same psychological traps, resulting in suboptimal performance driven by emotional rather than rational decisions.
—True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
From the beginning, production challenges included procuring resources and filming during suboptimal weather.
—Amber Dowling, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suboptimal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suboptimal
Adjective
-
In April 2021, the European Commission proposed a draft of the Artificial Intelligence Act, aimed at introducing a system of AI classification based on risks to users (minimal, limited, high, unacceptable).—
Olena Orliuk,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
-
Anything less is unacceptable to the Bosteros, as Boca’s fans are known.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
Orlik, who was seventy-seven, was in poor health and desperate to get his pictures back.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
17 June 2025
-
Despite being poor, India’s democracy thrived as its leaders managed the country’s political fortunes through open competition.—
ASHLEY J. TELLIS,
Foreign Affairs,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Verge reported a Tesla Model Y robotaxi briefly traveled the wrong way down a road in Austin.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
23 June 2025
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Her only 'crime' seems to be coming from the 'wrong' country.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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In your garden, stink bugs can be a real bad problem...—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
28 June 2025
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But others are, at best, psychological signposts and, at worst, internet inside-jokes.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 June 2025
Adjective
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If a person is not deficient in iron, too much iron can cause significant problems.5 3.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
23 June 2025
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Noted: Nearly 1 in 4 Americans is deficient in Vitamin D.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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The second time around, Read's lawyers argued that the police investigation was so flawed and biased that prosecutors couldn't even prove Read had hit O'Keefe with her car.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
18 June 2025
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Missing key information leads to flawed decisions and signals that your perspective matters more than others'.—
Anna Barnhill,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Suboptimal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suboptimal. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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