1
as in decent
of average to below average quality
a second-rate song from a songwriter who has done much better
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inferior
of little or less value or merit
a second-rate company that was never considered among the top manufacturers of televisions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cheap
of low quality
second-rate goods specifically manufactured for the low end of the market
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of second-rate
The Trojans still had few postseason options available to them beyond a second-rate bowl game.
—
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
Virtual meetings aren’t just second-rate versions of the in-person kind.
—William Arruda, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024
According to projections by the International Energy Agency, Russia will forgo more than $1 trillion in oil and gas revenues by 2030, relegating the country to a second-rate energy power.
—Edward Fishman, Foreign Affairs, 23 Feb. 2023
For some philosophers, hope is a second-rate way of relating to reality.
—Big Think, 24 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for second-rate
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
Virtual meetings aren’t just second-rate versions of the in-person kind.
—William Arruda, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024
According to projections by the International Energy Agency, Russia will forgo more than $1 trillion in oil and gas revenues by 2030, relegating the country to a second-rate energy power.
—Edward Fishman, Foreign Affairs, 23 Feb. 2023
For some philosophers, hope is a second-rate way of relating to reality.
—Big Think, 24 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for second-rate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for second-rate
Adjective
-
Blessedly, Tucci and Esposito infuse their cheesier character moments with a decent dose of sincerity to blunt the edges.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Baker, who resides in Los Angeles, can’t get a decent catfish to save her life.—
Abigail Covington,
Rolling Stone,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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So, Apple Intelligence being inferior to Google’s offering doesn’t matter to them.—
Ben Sin,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
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Rocky, inferior to at least three of these, will be the winner, though.—
Bill Wyman,
Vulture,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Read: The cost of avoiding microplastics In the mid-1990s, China emerged as the principal destination for used cups, straws, and the like; the country’s growing manufacturing sector was eager to make use of cheap, recycled raw plastic.—
Scott W. Stern,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2025
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Seeds are also cheaper than purchasing young plants.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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As a result, non-Power conference teams with strong records often rank lower than Power conference teams with mediocre records.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
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The 18-year-old Italian has replaced Lewis Hamilton at the Mercedes team and charged from a mediocre qualifying position to finish fourth.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Many sparkling water brands, kombucha makers, and craft sodas favor glass bottles for sustainability and quality—but if not manufactured correctly, even minor defects can lead to unexpected breakage.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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Even minor decisions had to be run up the church’s chain of command, say former members.—
Guthrie Scrimgeour,
Rolling Stone,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But there is another concerning trend and area that has to be improved — their poor record on second balls.—
Rob Tanner,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
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Flooding may also occur in poor drainage and urban areas.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
While the overall atmosphere and design of the restaurant are aesthetically pleasing, the menu is just as satisfactory.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2025
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Employees in Idaho and across the U.S. say their termination letters blamed their performance despite histories of satisfactory reviews.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The trestle will require the installation of some 1,200 36-inch steel piles covering an area of 400,000 square feet with the top of the pile being 10 feet above the Patapsco’s mean high-water line, according to the Army Corps.—
Michelle Deal-Zimmerman,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Mar. 2025
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The new analysis found that the mean fetal mortality rate for 16 Southern states in 2023 was 6.05 fetal deaths at 20 weeks’ gestation or more per 1,000 live births and fetal deaths, compared with a mean fetal mortality rate of 5.25 for all other states.—
Elizabeth Cohen,
NBC News,
6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Second-rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second-rate. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
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