as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard the service at the restaurant was subpar, to say the least

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Examples 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 Our outreach team provides education about their rights, and on some corners workers have self-organized not to accept subpar wages. Victor Moreno, The Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2024 One common critique about Cunningham’s game is his subpar motor. Mat Issa, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 However, its subpar graphics and Photoshop performance (that a low-power mobile GPU could fix) cut into that niche. PCMAG, 27 Sep. 2024 Furthermore, should Trump keep to his promise of not having another debate with Harris, the former president would not only rob Harris the opportunity to pitch her case again on the national stage, but also pigeon hole his subpar performance in the minds of his own base. Christian Datoc, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for subpar 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subpar
Adjective
  • An American president who thinks strategically would likely conclude that the risks and costs associated with tariffs-as-a-tactic would be remarkably high, if not unacceptable.
    Samuel Gregg, National Review, 1 Nov. 2024
  • Not holding my breath for Mike Johnson or Elise Stefanik to state the obvious that this is unacceptable, dangerous, & shameful.
    Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Exposure to high concentrations can cause people to lose consciousness and can lead to long-term effects such as headaches, poor attention span, poor memory and poor motor function, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
    Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
  • More than 40% of pregnant people were exposed to extreme heat, and nearly three-quarters lived in areas with poor air quality, the report found.
    Erika Edwards, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
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
  • Using the wrong product might harm your mattress and could even void its warranty.
    Heather Cruickshank, SELF, 23 Nov. 2024
  • Global Breakout: Argo-esque Czech Oscar entry Waves is proving doubters wrong at the Box Office, Nancy writes.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Zach Wilson’s younger brother settled in as the game progressed, but then threw a bad INT in the fourth to end Utah’s comeback attempt.
    Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
  • Dilettante listing brokers can also cost sellers with bad marketing, weird staging, and a lack of responsiveness.
    Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • This Tuesday's particular presidential election is also the most important election of our lifetimes for a simple additional reason: Harris is the most ideologically left-wing, intellectually deficient, and wildly unprepared presidential candidate in the nation's history.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
  • In the early seventies, when addicts were viewed as criminals or morally deficient, Gruppo Abele became a nonjudgmental refuge for homeless people and juvenile offenders.
    D. T. Max, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • Meanwhile Kelly Oubre, who was terrible with the Warriors, has found success with Philadelphia.
    Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
  • Elsbeth and Kaya are suspicious of Roselyn, even after Valentina’s quick assessment — supported by the medical examiner — that Claude’s death was a terrible accident.
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The two have to make the best of a horrible situation, and the frenemy dynamic is already well-established before the good witch’s human-sideye sidekicks, played by Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James, purposefully unload a humiliating black hat on Elphaba.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024
  • Natty’s son, Bart, is also present at their arrival, boasting about how horrible business has been and that the dude ranch will soon be sold for a hefty sum of money.
    Sara Belcher, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near subpar

Cite this Entry

“Subpar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subpar. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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