1
as in decent
of average to below average quality
a second-rate song from a songwriter who has done much better
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inferior
of little or less value or merit
a second-rate company that was never considered among the top manufacturers of televisions
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cheap
of low quality
second-rate goods specifically manufactured for the low end of the market
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of second-rate
While the setup is often different from what happens in a bustling medical office, a new study blows away quibbles over protocol and suggests that even when done perfectly, the method is second-rate.
—
Ars Technica, 24 Jan. 2025
And if Russia is a second-rate energy power, Putin’s political and economic model, much less his imperialist fantasies, no longer makes sense.
—Edward Fishman, Foreign Affairs, 23 Feb. 2023
So don’t expect anything different this December, even if USC manages to blow out some mid-tier Mountain West team in a second-rate bowl matchup.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024
While Holmes won’t be behind the wheel, Hettinger Racing isn’t settling for second-rate talent.
—Greg Engle, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for second-rate
Ars Technica, 24 Jan. 2025
And if Russia is a second-rate energy power, Putin’s political and economic model, much less his imperialist fantasies, no longer makes sense.
—Edward Fishman, Foreign Affairs, 23 Feb. 2023
So don’t expect anything different this December, even if USC manages to blow out some mid-tier Mountain West team in a second-rate bowl matchup.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024
While Holmes won’t be behind the wheel, Hettinger Racing isn’t settling for second-rate talent.
—Greg Engle, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for second-rate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for second-rate
Adjective
-
Both of these teams are off to decent starts, as Detroit leads the AL Central and the Yanks have, ahem, torpedoeed their way to a 6-5 record thus far.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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At least, thanks to a decent selection of ports, both machines will easily work with the usual Mac accessories, and both models are outfitted with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Science popularization should not be considered as inferior to or detracting from traditional scientific research.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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The only asterisk is that their recent wins have mostly come against inferior opponents – Washington’s record is only 3-4-1 against teams in a playoff spot since the 4 Nations Face-Off. 4.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Their tech lets clothing companies show off a wide variety of sizes and styles—and for a whole lot cheaper.—
Alexandra York,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
In Flacco and Pickett, the Browns have two veteran backups on cheap contracts signed only for 2025.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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And most VCs seem to be average or mediocre at best.—
Dileep Rao,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Milwaukee sits with a mediocre 5-5 record, while New Orleans sits with a 3-7 record.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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As mentioned above, taking creatine in higher doses, such as 20 grams per day, may trigger minor side effects like water retention.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
21 Apr. 2025
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Commonly known as Tylenol, it's thought to reduce fever and relieve minor aches and pains by raising your body's pain threshold and regulating your body temperature.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Road conditions are rapidly deteriorating, with the percentage of roads in poor condition expected to double in two years.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Apr. 2025
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But academic research has consistently demonstrated that stadiums are poor drivers of economic growth and an analysis published last month found stadium projects spur little growth in local construction industries.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The surgery was difficult due to Bolsonaro’s prior surgeries and stab wound, but Sunday’s procedure did not have unexpected complications and the result was satisfactory, doctors said, adding that hospital visits for now should be limited to family.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
14 Apr. 2025
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According to the complaint, Combs allegedly said the act wasn’t satisfactory and threatened Doe with violence afterward.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Monitor performance using mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE).—
Devadas Pattathil,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Larsa Pippen found out the hard way what life is like in the mean ‘burbs.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Second-rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second-rate. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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