MAKE THE GRADE Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

make the grade

phrase

Definition of make the grade

as in make it

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 make the grade At National Mortgage Center, another DSCR lender, even buyers of short-term rentals can often be approved, and sometimes multifamily projects of more than five units make the grade. — Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for make the grade

Recent Examples of Synonyms for make the grade

Phrase

The Directors Guild of Korea (DGK) has also come to the defense of the filmmakers, arguing that the backlash has spilled over from the film to the lives and livelihoods of the people who made it.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Maintaining Institutional Knowledge In my experience, some of the most important operational information never makes it into a database at all.

— Justin Wisor, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of make it

Phrase

Moreover, the contrast between Paulina and Eloise shows who Paulina might become and the cost of getting there.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
To get there, Washington must encourage a free-market, international defense ecosystem defined by open architecture and industrial, software, and hardware compatibility.

— Dan Driscoll, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of get there

Phrase

This is actually a great opportunity to get ahead of all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping chaos.

— Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 6 Oct. 2026
In my view, the government must get ahead of that curve by establishing a full-fledged Department of AI, rather than leaving it to a single individual.

— Yerbol Orynbayev, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of get ahead

Phrase

After spending 26 years trying to get somewhere, this copy won’t be going back in the mail.

— Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Some are predicting that Colorado defenseman Cale Makar will get somewhere in the $18 million to $20 million range before the start of September’s training camps.

— Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 12 July 2026

Definition of get somewhere

Phrase

Raiders field goal kicker Matt Gay had just made good on a 41-yard attempt on the first drive of the second half, extending Las Vegas’ lead to six points.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026
Freedom made good on his promise of legal action just weeks later.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of make good

Browse Nearby Words

makes way

make the grade

make tracks

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Make the grade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make%20the%20grade. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of make the grade

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