MEDIOCRITY Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

mediocrity

noun

Definition of mediocrity

as in normality

the quality or state of being mediocre She's a perfectionist who refuses to settle for mediocrity.

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

as in nothing

a person of little fame He surrounded himself with mediocrities to appear more notable by comparison.

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 mediocrity Evidenced by the hiring of Chesney and athletic director Tim Harris, mediocrity will no longer be accepted. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 The fact that so many diplomats before him have struggled is a testament not to the intransigence of international problems but to the mediocrity of his predecessors. — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026 Before Ruthie shows up, the younger Dangs are at peace with their own mediocrity. — Alison Herman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026 Both Jefferson Starship and Kansas were quite impressive, while Deep Purple never really rose above mediocrity due mostly to the deteriorating vocal abilities and stage presence of frontman Ian Gillan. — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mediocrity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mediocrity

Noun

The crimson hue that may have been visible at the height of the eclipse will gradually fade as the crescent of the lunar disk exposed to direct sunlight grows, and normality reasserts itself over the natural satellite.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026
By the time the world returned to relative normality, her priorities had shifted.

— Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of normality

Noun

While CinemaCon 2026 brought us exciting news about new films, it was also bogged down with status quo nothings about how Amazon MGM still hasn’t found a new James Bond.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
When Dana, who, like Virginia, had been successful in writing pleasant but undistinguished nothings—in her case, songs for Billy Rose’s revues—decided to try taking on more serious music by studying with Boulanger, Virginia entered a deep downward spiral.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026

Definition of nothing

Noun

But that is just one expression of its structural bias toward familiarity and averageness.

— Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
Joe, who was selected because of his averageness, turns out to be the smartest person on Earth in the future and lands a job working for President Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho (Terry Crews).

— David Faris, TheWeek, 22 Apr. 2026

Definition of averageness

Noun

Asco’s work remained in relative obscurity — living in local mythology through storytellers like Ignacio — for decades.

— Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Smart city programs in Beijing, Shanghai, and other urban centers use AI to track performance and centralize oversight of local officials who once operated in comfortable obscurity, subjecting them to an algorithmic performance review.

— Seva Gunitsky, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of obscurity

Noun

Attacks aimed at Democrat Abdul El-Sayed have brought back painful memories for some in a contest that has raised questions about the acceptability of Islamophobia in politics.

— Laura Beveridge, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2026
Today, everyone from the Economist to the New York Times has heralded the coming psychedelics renaissance, as hallucinogens begin to gain greater cultural, medical and commercial acceptability.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 July 2026

Definition of acceptability

Noun

Someone briskly assessing workmanship or disparaging a social inferior?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
That comes to the Philippines in the form of war, as well as through the invocation, or establishment, of American-style modes of government and education that place Filipinos along this racial hierarchy, identifying them as these inferiors that need to be taught how to govern themselves.

— Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026

Definition of inferior

Noun

Leaping around in time, Gilroy draws us into Alex’s world with an effervescent wink at the badness of his behavior.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
On one side, a satanic figure named Randall Flagg who gathers his forces of badness to Las Vegas; on the other, the good guys, led by 108-year-old Mother Abigail in, of all places, Boulder.

— Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026

Definition of badness

Noun

Other eco-amenities include all-natural insect repellent and sunscreen in refillable containers, plus a handy pouch with a reusable straw and cutlery to bring along during day trips.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Hidden Planet is the latest in the canon, this time turning the micro-cameras on the world of insects.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of insect

Browse Nearby Words

mediocrities

mediocrity

meditate

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Mediocrity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mediocrity. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mediocrity

noun

Example Sentences

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