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 First, the Jets’ top linebacker (Demario Davis) is 37 and won’t be here long-term and the other linebacker (Jamien Sherwood) is coming off a subpar season and might have some interest on the trade market. —
Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026 Investing in tools that are too big are likely to lead to subpar, streaky results. —Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 12 Apr. 2026 While quality soil is a positive component of a thriving garden, certain fruit tree varieties can still thrive in subpar soil. —Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 11 Apr. 2026 His invention was modestly successful, acquired by Monsanto but ultimately rejected by the public for its subpar taste. —Alison Herman, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subpar
Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026 Investing in tools that are too big are likely to lead to subpar, streaky results. —Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 12 Apr. 2026 While quality soil is a positive component of a thriving garden, certain fruit tree varieties can still thrive in subpar soil. —Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 11 Apr. 2026 His invention was modestly successful, acquired by Monsanto but ultimately rejected by the public for its subpar taste. —Alison Herman, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subpar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subpar
Adjective
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Ultimately, this will mean more encampments, more preventable deaths in the streets, and more individuals and families with no other option but to live in unsafe and unacceptable conditions.— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
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Not ready for prime time Amazon’s Prime Video losing its feed in overtime of the Charlotte Hornets-Miami Heat play-in game was unacceptable for a streaming network that deems itself big time.— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Braves couldn’t overcome a poor start from Reynaldo López and saw their six-game winning streak fall by the wayside in an 11-4 loss to the Nationals on Tuesday at Nationals Park.— Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 22 Apr. 2026
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In the days leading up to his fatal overdose, Prince was in poor health and was forced to cancel shows in Atlanta.— Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Now 43-38, Charlotte has lost ground this week with difficult losses to Boston and Detroit that followed the same blueprint, as the Hornets fell off a cliff in the fourth quarter at the wrong time.— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2026
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Overfertilizing Fertilizing too much or at the wrong time could potentially damage plant roots, leading to leaf damage and eventual drop.— Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The band felt embarrassed wearing those lame outfits.— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
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Full lame-duck seasons like the one coming up here are rare; and for good reason.— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The combination of a shaky bullpen and even worse infield defense harmed the Twins multiple times during the team’s current four-game losing streak.— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
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To be unreasonable is to be a bad survivalist.— Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Clover naturally fixes nitrogen-deficient soil and improves soil fertility, which helps nearby plants.— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026
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If muscles remain depleted and incompletely repaired, each practice starts with a deficient muscular system.— William Jones, Ascend Agency, 13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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If anything, great public pressure being brought to bear is a terrible reason to dispense with due-process protections designed to protect the legal rights of individuals, and crafting one exception would seem to create a precedent for crafting others.— Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
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Some members of Congress, along with airline CEOs and analysts, say the bailout would be a terrible idea.— Donald Judd, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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On that horrible day, Dad was outside his vehicle supervising a ditch cleaning operation when a driver ignored traffic control devices, drove through a closed lane, and struck him, pinning him between two vehicles.— Allysson Bornt, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
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And every family has that annoying uncle that makes horrible jokes or one situation after another.— Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subpar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/subpar. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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