Definition of subparnext
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 The Royals expressed confidence in Erceg in spite of his recent run of subpar performances. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 31 May 2026 Peel away the crowds, the tourist tax, and the overpriced (and too frequently, subpar) dining, and what’s left? Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2026 The former Arizona standout had a subpar rookie season. Miami Herald, 29 May 2026 In Washington, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin disputed claims of subpar conditions and denied that detainees are protesting by going on a hunger strike. Christina Fan, CBS News, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for subpar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subpar
Adjective
  • Advertisement If something comes back at unacceptable levels, filtering is the next step—and the right filter depends on what's in your water.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 3 June 2026
  • Concern, because the violence and chaos in Hyde Park and elsewhere over the Memorial Day weekend are dangerous and unacceptable.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • Common travel regrets stem from preventable issues like poor planning, budget problems, and choosing the wrong companions.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 3 June 2026
  • O’Farrell’s inclination for narratives propelled by brutal coincidence and fatally poor timing tenders a Hardy-esque vision of the world, one that emphasizes the rigid, often cruel limits of an individual’s jurisdiction over the course of their life.
    Rachel Vorona Cote, Vulture, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • Black and white, right and wrong, cut and dried.
    Erika Ettin, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
  • The Angels brought a one-run lead into the seventh inning, and then just about everything went wrong in a seven-run inning that sent them to an 8-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • The Browns are clearly in rebuild mode, with 2026 expected to be a lame-duck season at quarterback with Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders vying for the starting job for a season before the team uses the 2027 draft to select its latest quarterback of the future.
    Jim Reineking, USA Today, 2 June 2026
  • Initially blocked by recalcitrant Democratic members of the House, the legislation was reintroduced during a lame-duck session following the 2024 election.
    Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • But that’s made even worse by the fact that a significant portion of these observational studies did not even have a comparison group.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
  • The views over the city aren’t bad either.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • That’s what health experts now advise, because statistics reveal the sorry fact that 95% of people are deficient in this essential dietary food.
    Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 29 May 2026
  • Prices of crude oil, a key resource for energy-deficient Europe, slipped and were on track for their first weekly drop in two months.
    Jay Ganglani, NBC news, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • Mayor and Governor are terrible.
    Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 28 May 2026
  • From scandals, to corny tactics and platforms, to terrible analysis, this gubernatorial race has been a contest to forget.
    Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Adjective
  • His slugging percentage is horrible.
    Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
  • Some of it had to do with horrible tragedy, some because hopefuls could not see the math working out for them.
    Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Subpar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subpar. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

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