as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
the service at the restaurant was subpar, to say the least
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
The big leaguer among the three players, pitcher Drew Thorpe, had a subpar rookie season with the White Sox, underwent elbow surgery in September and had a cortisone shot in January, sidelining him until batting-practice sessions this week.
—
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
The formula Philly used to win — heavy pressure with its front four — was similar to the one the Buccaneers used in Super Bowl 55, which featured another subpar performance from Mahomes.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 10 Feb. 2025
Allen got the benefit of a rather subpar division, clinching the AFC East Dec. 1.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 8 Feb. 2025
Van Ness, on the other hand, has just been consistently subpar.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subpar
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
The formula Philly used to win — heavy pressure with its front four — was similar to the one the Buccaneers used in Super Bowl 55, which featured another subpar performance from Mahomes.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 10 Feb. 2025
Allen got the benefit of a rather subpar division, clinching the AFC East Dec. 1.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 8 Feb. 2025
Van Ness, on the other hand, has just been consistently subpar.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes, 12 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
-
Any format that builds in a conflict of interest is unacceptable.—
Robert Greene,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Some parents worry that Alexa's high tolerance for rudeness instills poor behavior in their kids, according to Quartz.—
Emily Forlini,
PC Magazine,
18 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
-
His interrogator conceded that the police must have gotten the wrong guy and released him within weeks.—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2025
-
And it’s been even harder for my daughter, Piper, who never did anything wrong.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That means more time for Rojas, who has shown more bad than good to begin this season.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Black Mirror’s most effective episodes use their high-concept premises to explore people’s hunger for connection and validation, and how our increasingly tech-forward, capitalistic world can stretch those human impulses to the limit for better or (almost always) worse.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Atlanta Falcons: Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M The Falcons have been deficient in pass rushers for years.—
Ben Standig,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
-
In 2022 Placer County dropped its approval after an appeals court found that its environmental report was deficient in four areas, including emergency evacuation analysis.—
CalMatters,
The Mercury News,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
What is disconcerting is when campaign donors and friends & family have commuted sentences after they have been legally convicted of terrible financial crimes.—
Sanjeev Menon,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Skinner had a terrible time of it for much of the season.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
14 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
Cite this Entry
“Subpar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subpar. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share