SUBPAR Synonyms: 177 Similar and Opposite Words

subpar

adjective

ˈsəb-ˌpär

Definition of subpar

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 Despite the subpar season, who was the first Dodger to leap out of the dugout to celebrate a teammate’s success? — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 His performance and leadership could foreshadow a dramatic improvement in Mizzou’s subpar passing game last season. — Pj Green september 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026 The aircraft carrier has also been at the center of reports of morale issues and subpar conditions faced by sailors. — Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 For example, American Express Membership Rewards® points are a great option for booking international flights, but subpar for cash back or merchandise. — Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subpar

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subpar

Adjective

With a team that has a margin of error as small as the Dolphins, these penalties are unacceptable.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
Likewise, the underlying crisis of commercially unacceptable risk in the Strait isn’t anywhere close to being resolved.

— David Faris, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of unacceptable

Adjective

British police acknowledged applying for the warrants under the wrong statutory provision, the judge said while stipulating that the misconduct investigation against the king's brother could continue.

— Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
Doctors in Tennessee and Republican state senators called for the state to pause executions, because the chances of one going catastrophically wrong were so high.

— Maya Foa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of wrong

Adjective

But then came the nightmare of Game 3, one of the Sox’s worst performances in weeks.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
Specifically, people with worse fever tended to have more of a protein called flagellin in their systems than those with little to no fever.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of bad

Adjective

To help with hair regrowth, Bauman often recommends nutrient-dense meals rich with protein, healthy fat and the trace minerals that, when deficient, can lead to hair loss.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 2 Oct. 2026
Of course, supplementing with vitamin D is especially helpful for those who are deficient.

— Nicole Catanese, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of deficient

Adjective

Platforms prefill a name, email and phone number so a user can submit in one tap without leaving the feed, which is wonderful for a consumer promotion and terrible for a six-figure investment.

— Jonathan Durante, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Saddled with terrible reviews and negative word-of-mouth, Tom Cruise‘s absurdist dark comedy has cratered at the box office with $8 million in North America and $20 million globally in its first weekend of release.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrible

Adjective

Hill is a free agent after a horrible injury suffered last season.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026
Ashley Flynn’s sister, Kayla Keyt, said during her victim statement that her family could not overcome their sense of shock and despair after learning that Flynn betrayed them in such a violent and horrible way.

— Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of horrible

Browse Nearby Words

subordination

subpar

subplot

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

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Synonyms of subpar

adjective

Example Sentences

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