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
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of second-rate
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.
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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
After the composer’s death, a hokey big operatic ending got tacked on with a showy duet by a second-rate composer, Franco Alfano.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024
Iran is another second-rate safe haven for al Qaeda.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2021
See all Example Sentences for second-rate 
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
After the composer’s death, a hokey big operatic ending got tacked on with a showy duet by a second-rate composer, Franco Alfano.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024
Iran is another second-rate safe haven for al Qaeda.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2021
See all Example Sentences for second-rate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for second-rate
Adjective
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Also worth noting is a decent sale on shares at present, with MFIC trading at a 7% discount to net asset value (NAV).Brett Owens, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
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DocuSign was up 27% Friday alone on a decent quarterly report, and has doubled from the early-August low.Michael Santoli, CNBC, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The small market teams are cringing for a number of reasons these days - the deferred money being thrown around by the Dodgers, the daunting Soto sweepstakes and the huge amount of leftover cash that will be spread around a number of far inferior bats, to name a few.Tony Blengino, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
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The vena cava is the largest vein in the body, carrying deoxygenated blood to the heart from the upper body parts (superior vena cava) and lower body parts (inferior vena cava).Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The electric vehicle maker still is shooting for a launch of its cheaper vehicle in the first half of next year and other models later in the year, the bank said after the meeting with investor relations chief Travis Axelrod.Rachael Levy, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
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And cheap, lower-tech methods of creating and disseminating false information have been extremely successful on their own.Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Despite a mediocre 2024 campaign, Burden is strong at the catch point and at his best creating with the ball in his hands.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
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The right-handed hitting Bichette is coming off a season of injury and very mediocre performance.Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Apotheke x Sanctuary Retrograde Candle The person who blames Mercury retrograde for every minor inconvenience (raises hand) needs this candle.Sara Coughlin, SELF, 3 Dec. 2024
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Several people, including residents of the assisted living facility and responding officers, were treated at the scene for minor injuries.Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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So this poor kid [who finished in last], this single guy, for a year had to have a Fathead of his buddy in boxers, a giant life-size Fathead above his bed.Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024
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The cub was also hairless and found in poor condition.Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Overall, the team is running smoothly but one individual, who previously didn’t have any issues, is now struggling: missing deadlines, not catching mistakes, not completing assignments in a satisfactory way.Eva Epker, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
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Customary closing conditions include final approval from the Comcast board, satisfactory completion of SpinCo financing, receipt of tax opinions, and any regulatory approvals.Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch plots to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Whos. Runs Dec. 10-15.Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 8 Dec. 2024
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What's more, there was a mean 8.3-fold improvement in microbial diversity, including beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia muciniphila, helping the body to build its own natural defense against inflammation.New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near second-rate
Cite this Entry
“Second-rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second-rate. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
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