suboptimal

adjective

sub·​op·​ti·​mal ˌsəb-ˈäp-tə-məl 

variants or sub-optimal

: less than optimal : not at the best possible level

suboptimal performance

suboptimal conditions/results/solutions

received suboptimal care

… such is life at the sharp end of evolution, where the pursuit of self-interest frequently leads to suboptimal outcomes for all concerned.

—The Economist

Training at sub-optimal levels fatigues you and wastes time you could have spent at the high levels you hope to achieve.

—Rick Crawford

suboptimally adverb

or sub-optimally

… countless companies perform suboptimally. They fail to capitalize on a unique competitive advantage.

—Erik Matson

Synonyms of suboptimal

• unacceptable
• poor
• wrong
• lame
• bad
• deficient
• flawed

Examples of suboptimal in a Sentence

yes, living on junk food generally means that you have a suboptimal diet

Recent Examples on the Web

Having a parent or sibling who developed osteoporosis at a younger-than-usual age, say in their 40s or 50s, points to those suboptimal genetics. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 31 Mar. 2026

From a behavioral economics perspective, many decisions appear biased and suboptimal. —Alejandro Hortal-Sánchez, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026

There are driver-specific factors that also increase safety risk on Houston highways, such as fatigue, distracted driving, speeding on suboptimal roads, and insufficient training. —Wyles Daniel, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2026

They are used in commercial and residential real estate deals that require speed or flexibility for borrowers with suboptimal credit scores or other conditions that might bar them from securing traditional loans. —Susie Neilson, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

suboptimal

adjective

sub·​op·​ti·​mal ˌsəb-ˈäp-tə-məl 

: less than optimal

a suboptimal diet

a suboptimal dose of a drug