SUBSTANDARD Synonyms: 177 Similar and Opposite Words

substandard

adjective

ˌsəb-ˈstan-dərd

Definition of substandard

as in unacceptable

falling short of a standard a teacher who rejects substandard work without hesitation

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 substandard The Dolphins, resting their talent-needy starting defense, fought with backups that will provide substandard depth this season. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Young detainees have described inedible food, substandard medical care and callous treatment at the hands of guards and staff at immigration facilities. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Trump paid them substandard wages, and their working conditions were appalling. — Kai Bird, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 Cyclospora is most common in tropical climates and areas with substandard sanitation. — Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for substandard

Recent Examples of Synonyms for substandard

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

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

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

After years of looking inferior to its Western brethren, the NBA’s Eastern Conference is enjoying a renaissance, galvanized by a steady influx of talent and the relocation of star players to new teams.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Brandon put up big numbers against inferior opponents, but struggled against Texas and Auburn, and Heupel clearly doesn’t see this as a development year for his team.

— Seth Emerson, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of inferior

Adjective

De Brigard would be the first to tell you that his recollection of that day may be flawed.

— Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
And there is precedent for such a return because Romo is not the first flawed NFL analyst who faced legal troubles and worked again.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of flawed

Browse Nearby Words

substances

substandard

substantial

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

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Synonyms of substandard

adjective

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