subpar

adjective

ˈsəb-ˌpär How to pronounce subpar (audio)
Definition of subparnext
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard the service at the restaurant was subpar, to say the least

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 subpar But demand exceeded square footage, and many of those lounges suffered from overcrowding and subpar service, selling the dream of an aero oasis that never was. — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 6 Nov. 2026 Malta has more than 200 licensed community pharmacies, dispensing medical care alongside prescriptions, sunscreen, nail polish remover, a surprisingly robust collection of perfumes, and subpar dental floss. — Mariska Breland, STAT, 4 Nov. 2026 Soviet residents were left queuing up for subpar consumer goods. — S. C. M. Paine, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026 But these reasons didn’t offer much reassurance to WNBA fans who have tired of watching games in small arenas or on subpar broadcasts. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subpar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subpar
  1. unacceptable
  2. poor
  3. wrong
  4. lame
  5. bad
  6. deficient
  7. terrible
  8. horrible
Adjective
  • But singling out businesses because their owners are Jewish is unacceptable and has no place in our city.
    — Eva Andersen, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • William James Middle received its fifth unacceptable rating in a row in the 2025-26 school year.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of unacceptable
Adjective
  • Nearby residents have argued that the large apartment complex will be a poor fit for their neighborhood, citing concerns about traffic congestion and fire department access, among other things.
    — Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The Lions’ high-flying offense is at its best on turf, not nearly as fast on grass, and their poor red zone defense has been an issue.
    — Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of poor
Adjective
  • The company argues that much of the opposition is based on wrong or insufficient information, and contends that its operation wouldn’t drain resources or damage the environment, but would produce a hefty tax revenue boost for Cromwell.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Moreover, when the wrong people are punished, the real criminals go free.
    — Arne Duncan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of wrong
Adjective
  • In the meantime, Congress may consider a ban on stock trading by members of Congress during the post-election lame-duck session.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Blumenthal and others hope to make an 11th-hour push on policy priorities in the lame-duck session before the end of the year.
    — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of lame
Adjective
  • During that period, the number of women killed because of their gender rose by 44%, suggesting the problem is only getting worse.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Read my colleague Nate Freeman’s soaring eulogy for the Cybertruck, Elon Musk’s grand experiment in bad taste.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • The Importance of Understanding Soil Biology Such approaches will not eliminate the need for conventional fertilizers, particularly in soils where phosphorus is genuinely deficient.
    — Rafael De Toledo, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Nearly one-third of adults in the United States may be iron deficient, according to a 2024 study.
    — Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of deficient
Adjective
  • The bat lay on its back, soggy and wretched, here in the waning hours of this terrible day.
    — Téa Obreht, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
  • An ugly fight between teammates during training camp was a terrible start to a season that officially began with a loss against North Carolina, a game in Dublin that TCU essentially sold, against the desires of Dykes.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of terrible
Adjective
  • Their monthlong travel by ship was under horrible conditions.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
  • While the fire was horrible, Hong said some blessings have emerged from the tragedy.
    — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of horrible

Browse Nearby Words

subordination
subpar
subplot
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Cite this Entry

“Subpar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subpar. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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