as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
a teacher who rejects substandard work without hesitation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of substandard
Authorities blamed substandard scaffold netting and foam boards used in a maintenance project for rapidly spreading the fire.
—
ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
Under city code for substandard structures, property owners are required to keep structures in good repair.
—Dave Lieber, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
According to the agency, counterfeiters make goods using substandard materials and parts that could break and hurt consumers.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
The report cards slammed several teams with anonymous comments that accused some teams of disrespecting players’ families, employing substandard training staffs and other denunciations.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for substandard
ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
Under city code for substandard structures, property owners are required to keep structures in good repair.
—Dave Lieber, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
According to the agency, counterfeiters make goods using substandard materials and parts that could break and hurt consumers.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
The report cards slammed several teams with anonymous comments that accused some teams of disrespecting players’ families, employing substandard training staffs and other denunciations.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for substandard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substandard
Adjective
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There have also been reports that some migrants are being held at the processing center longer than ICE policy allows, something Veasey called unacceptable.—
Marissa Armas,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Government actions have an important symbolic value and show that authorities deem violence against women unacceptable, said Isadora Vianna, a sociology researcher from Rio de Janeiro State University.—
Eléonore Hughes,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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City officials say the long-term leases make buying Liberty Station a poor investment for any potential buyer other than Seligman.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
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Further, according to the paper, when supply tightens, richer nations outbid poorer ones for scarce shipments, exacerbating challenges for vulnerable economies.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The helpful staff won’t steer you wrong.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Mar. 2026
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An officer monitoring a vehicle X-ray machine did not detect anything wrong with the vehicle, but another officer doing a physical inspection spotted the woman’s foot, according to the complaint.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Smith said the legislation could pass in December, during the lame-duck session of Congress that will follow November’s midterm elections, but that the coming days are critical.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
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Maybe that’s a lame hook, but that, combined with the return of reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, gets them back in their spot.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The city’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, or DOTI, was seen as most deficient among operators and brokers.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
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Researchers say further studies are needed to determine whether the improvements in muscle power translate into fewer falls, and whether frailer or protein-deficient seniors might see greater benefits.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Knicks were held to less than 100 points for only the seventh time and had their fourth-worst three-point shooting performance of the season, going eight for 34.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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The Pacers have the second-worst record in the NBA, 1 ½ games better than Sacramento.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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He was made to feel inferior because of his difficulties.—
Stuart Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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Sloppy, hasty automation, which replaces workers with inferior machines, is everyone’s loss.—
Lila Shroff,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Today, seniors seeking relief after surgery or injury face a deeply flawed system.—
Saul Anuzis,
Boston Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
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As in the real world, they’re populated by personalities that don’t neatly divide along a good-evil binary but are, instead, flawed yet lovable—to some other lovably flawed character, at least.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substandard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substandard. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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