ˌsəb-ˈäp-tə-məl
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
yes, living on junk food generally means that you have a suboptimal diet
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of suboptimal
Inadequate application may increase the likelihood of graft handling issues or suboptimal density distribution.
—
Daniel Fusch, jsonline.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Up for debate is how well NASA’s Artemis mission managers understand the problem and exactly how much risk the suboptimal heat shield poses to the four astronauts slated to launch in a few weeks.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026
Chronic stress, poor sleep, inconsistent movement, and suboptimal nutrition are common, but often overlooked is the internal load CEOs carry due to unresolved personal strain, isolation, and the pressure of constant responsibility.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Their default mode has been to run out the options clock, which seems entirely suboptimal.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for suboptimal
Daniel Fusch, jsonline.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Up for debate is how well NASA’s Artemis mission managers understand the problem and exactly how much risk the suboptimal heat shield poses to the four astronauts slated to launch in a few weeks.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026
Chronic stress, poor sleep, inconsistent movement, and suboptimal nutrition are common, but often overlooked is the internal load CEOs carry due to unresolved personal strain, isolation, and the pressure of constant responsibility.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Their default mode has been to run out the options clock, which seems entirely suboptimal.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for suboptimal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suboptimal
Adjective
-
Even in the absence of any proven crime committed by Tisch, even in the naivest retelling or understanding of Tisch’s correspondences with Epstein, his unacceptable relationship with this man deserves censure.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
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Artemis has been trudging along at a once-every-three-years flight rate, which Isaacman deems unacceptable.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Serious Medical and Emotional Neglect Turner said Kaiko arrived in poor health, suffering from multiple medical issues and signs of prolonged neglect.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The city of Plano scores restaurants on a 100-point system, with 100 considered a perfect score and 70 extremely poor.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
If that doesn't open your eyes in law enforcement, something's wrong with you.—
Lauren Clark,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Both assumptions are increasingly wrong.—
Brian Barlow,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But large-scale remedies, such as finding alternative sources of revenue like a general tax increase to offset property tax cuts, are less likely when lawmakers and Pritzker are seeking reelection — though political pressures are lessened after the November general election in a lame-duck session.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
This struck me as heartbreakingly lame and, therefore, as a moment of vital consequence.—
Amanda Peet,
New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Bernadine appeared to be useless—or, worse, a potential double agent.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
This is very bad for our health.—
Peter D'Oench,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Most were sterilized because they were believed to be mentally ill or mentally deficient.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
-
In fact, 18% of postmenopausal women are deficient in vitamin B12, a 2025 study published in the Indian Menopause Society’s Journal of Mid-Life Health found.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
While the YouGov survey was flawed, some British churches are seeing interest increase.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Unlike their flawed first album, Queen’s second effort was nearly perfect to begin with.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Suboptimal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suboptimal. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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