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

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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 But even the best managers are only as good as the players on the roster, and while yes, the Mets have immense, and expensive, talent on their roster, the cracks in the foundation eventually exposed its subpar construction. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026 Supporters say the law expands options for families and spurs school improvement all around — especially in districts with subpar schools. Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026 Another step down from there is Brown, who has explosive speed to confound defenders, but his subpar frame (190 pounds) and ball-security issues gave me pause. Dane Brugler, New York Times, 23 June 2026 Leinweber said that in some cases, police have had to rely on subpar freestanding trail cams or GoPros to capture areas during surveillance or public safety projects. Chuck Fieldman, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for subpar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subpar
Adjective
  • In their grievance letter, the detainees called the markups an unacceptable business practice with no apparent limit.
    Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Overt racial prejudice, long considered socially unacceptable, is increasingly visible in public life, marking a shift from previously subtle forms.
    Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Overflowing poor drainage areas in urban areas of northwest Hickory and in the Northlakes area of Caldwell County.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026
  • There was a lot of poor decision-making with this match, on and off the pitch.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Adjective
  • Critics, and even some supporters, said Soto-Martínez was making his move at the wrong time.
    Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • That could always be wrong, of course, but at least that’s the garage talk heading into the weekend.
    Jess Bryant, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • Stronger and more flavorful than in your original lame iteration?
    Padgett Powell, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • On paper, some of the six, all of whom are far-right conservatives, have enviable educational backgrounds, but the record has proven that each one is openly political and willing to rubber-stamp nearly all of DeSantis’ lame and unconstitutional policies.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • That if you were deemed, as an enslaved person, if you were deemed troublesome or in some way unwanted, you would literally be sold down the river from the more northern states to the deeper south where you would potentially be treated even worse.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Offer Real Value, Not Leftovers Most product bundles fail not because the idea is bad but because the execution misses what consumers actually want.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • Drought covered virtually the entire Plains, destroying crops with deficient rainfall, high temperatures, high winds, insect infestations and dust storms.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 4 July 2026
  • Many people included in these studies may not have been deficient in vitamin D or calcium to begin with.
    Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Thank you to everyone who read or contributed to this column over the years, who reached out to me with story ideas or tips, or complimented my terrible artwork.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Visitors will see his Rough Riders uniform; the 1884 diary grieving his terrible loss; and the eyeglasses case, speech and shirt from the 1912 assassination attempt against him.
    CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • And obviously, slavery was a terrible thing, and that was horrible.
    Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
  • Horton, who married Rickman in 2012 in a private ceremony after more than 40 years together, also told the outlet that the diagnosis had been a horrible shock to them both.
    Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Subpar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subpar. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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