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

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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 problems of poverty — food insecurity, substandard housing, evictions, addiction, unemployment, exposure to violence — impact how kids learn. Adam Schwartz, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2025 The Dolphins’ running game efficiency nosedived last season, largely because of a substandard offensive line. Dan Pompei, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025 But the site’s overall score is a substandard 2.4 stars. Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025 On multiple occasions over the last few days, in important ties (also referring to the League Cup final in England between Chelsea and Manchester City last Saturday at Pride Park, home of second-tier men’s team Derby County), our members have been asked to play in substandard conditions. Guillermo Rai, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for substandard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substandard
Adjective
  • Defense stocks were once considered socially unacceptable investments, but fund managers are slowly changing tack as the sector has rallied in recent years.
    Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Forcing Americans and small independent American companies to rely on those same tools is an unacceptable outcome of domestic legislation.
    Emma Woollacott, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Road conditions are rapidly deteriorating, with the percentage of roads in poor condition expected to double in two years.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 Apr. 2025
  • But academic research has consistently demonstrated that stadiums are poor drivers of economic growth and an analysis published last month found stadium projects spur little growth in local construction industries.
    Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.
    Kevin Fisher-Paulson, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2021
  • My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.
    Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
  • Five justices said the lawsuit was brought in the wrong venue.
    Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • And it’s been even harder for my daughter, Piper, who never did anything wrong.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Atlanta Falcons: Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M The Falcons have been deficient in pass rushers for years.
    Ben Standig, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
  • In 2022 Placer County dropped its approval after an appeals court found that its environmental report was deficient in four areas, including emergency evacuation analysis.
    CalMatters, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • That means more time for Rojas, who has shown more bad than good to begin this season.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2025
  • For electricity generation, water security, or for financial returns, dams are a bad investment.
    Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The American Dental Association has disputed claims that water fluoridation is unsafe, calling the report flawed.
    Alexander Tin, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2025
  • But equating time spent with value created is a flawed model.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Substandard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substandard. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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