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 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 So far this season, Reed has had been subpar compared to previous seasons. Ethan Mannello, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025 The likelihood is that European economies will face a third year of economic stagnation, while China will probably continue to experience subpar growth. Nick Sargen, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for subpar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subpar
Adjective
  • Shapiro told reporters at a news conference on April 16 that regardless of the motivation for the crime, political violence must be condemned as unacceptable in our society.
    Riley Beggin, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Tom Schwartz later says that the behavior is completely unacceptable, as does Jason.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Consumer spending softened, increasing 1.8%, down from a 4% rise in the fourth quarter, but a decent performance in light of stock market turmoil and poor weather early in the quarter.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • These factors could contribute material risk to Nike’s earnings and put the company in a poor position to manage near-term headwinds.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 30 Apr. 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
  • But even one in three Republicans said their cost of living was on the wrong track, according to the poll, which surveyed 4,306 U.S. adults nationwide between April 16 and April 21.
    Jason Lange, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • But the product labels gave away that something was wrong: Product of China, many of them read in Mandarin.
    Karen Yuan, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • President Donald Trump intends to completely reimagine U.S. trade relations with our closest partners and fiercest rivals, for better or worse.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • In fact, clicking on one in a suspicious email can make things worse by signaling to spammers that your address is active.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Mount Zion Road/Columbia Hollow bridge was part of the 2017 county bridge plan to replace 15 bridges deemed structurally deficient by the Arkansas Department of Transportation.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The formula includes vitamin D, another nutrient that many are deficient in, which can boost immunity, support bone health and promote a healthy gut microbiome.
    Emily Burns, WWD, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Public interest in the film intensified after a stroke of terrible happenstance.
    Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
  • United have fallen massively and it’s been a terrible watch all season, bar a couple of highs.
    Andy Mitten, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Wade has been in a horrible slump since the season started and going in to Saturday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels is hitting .096 (5-for-52) with a homer, seven RBIs, eight walks and an on base percentage of .213.
    Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The Braves desperately need to add a shortstop and some offensive help amid their horrible start to the season.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Subpar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subpar. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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