SUBOPTIMAL Synonyms: 177 Similar and Opposite Words

suboptimal

adjective

ˌsəb-ˈäp-tə-məl

Definition of suboptimal

as in unacceptable

falling short of a standard yes, living on junk food generally means that you have a suboptimal diet

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 suboptimal The long, seemingly suboptimal route taken by our Alaskan myrtle warblers is actually mirrored by some other songbird species tracked from northwestern North America, including blackpoll warblers and Swainson’s thrushes. — Stephanie Szarmach, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026 Various micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi, yeasts) can also lie dormant in the tissues for centuries and can recolonize and multiply due to a ready supply of organic material—particularly if the remains have been stored in suboptimal conditions. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026 This helps to continuously monitor performance and safely shut down under suboptimal conditions. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026 Before Starlink, someone on a business trip might still decide to expense suboptimal Wi-Fi to keep up the pretense of working. — Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suboptimal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suboptimal

Adjective

Detection is no substitute for prevention, not when consequences are truly unacceptable.

— Andrew Ginter, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
The win won’t change what’s frankly been an unacceptable campaign for a program that was 18-1-4 just two seasons ago.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of unacceptable

Adjective

Disease that has spread to those organs is associated with poorer treatment outcomes.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
They were frustrated with teacher shortages and poor conditions at schools, including overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated buildings.

— James Cirrone , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

Poetry gets left behind by the exigency of character development or, in the movie’s self-defeating logic, because the art form doesn’t really matter and is only a lame excuse for people who won’t take responsibility and grow up.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Blumenthal hopes to see action on KOSA in the lame-duck session.

— Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of lame

Adjective

Nearly one-third of adults in the United States may be iron deficient, according to a 2024 study.

— Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
The county attorney's office said the case was submitted to prosecutors in June 2024, but the case file was deficient and did not support charges.

— Stephen Swanson, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of deficient

Adjective

Perhaps less exciting is the fact her failures are more than just the flawed Edison machine.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
From a charismatic Formula 1 racing legend to a brilliant but flawed soccer god to a troubled, tragic singer, Academy Award-winning docmaker Asif Kapadia has made a career out of telling the stories of larger-than-life figures.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of flawed

Browse Nearby Words

subnormal

suboptimal

subordinate

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Suboptimal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suboptimal. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of suboptimal

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes