MADE THE GRADE Synonyms: 24 Similar and Opposite Words

made the grade

phrase

past tense of make the grade

as in succeeded

to reach a desired level of accomplishment There were many applicants for the position, but only a few made the grade for an interview.

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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 made the grade Other names that made the grade in 2027 include Alphabet, Apple , Coca-Cola, Dynatrace , Eli Lilly , Equinix and Williams Companies . — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026 Another Spanish-language filmmaker, Chile’s Pablo Larraín, has arguably already made the grade. — John Hopewell, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for made the grade

Phrase

Only one of Utah’s shots inside the penalty area made it on target.

— Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
But the council member nevertheless made it into the general election against Bass, and dominated their second debate, hosted in August by the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of made it

Phrase

Blair Kerkhoff’s weekly report cards from The Kansas City Star tell the story of how the Chiefs got there.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
Giving Fincher a chance to dabble in TV and animation are other areas that a place like Apple or Amazon may have been willing to throw a lot of money at, but Netflix got there first.

— Brian Welk, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of got there

Phrase

That brought up the right-handed-hitting Díaz, who got ahead 3-1 in the count after Ashby threw two pitches in the dirt.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Since the dawn of time, the experts tell us, those who got ahead financially lived within their means, saved diligently and spent and invested carefully.

— Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of got ahead

Browse Nearby Words

made sport of

made the grade

made-to-measure

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“Made the grade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/made%20the%20grade. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of made the grade

phrase

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