Subpar
adjective
Below the usual standard or quality.
The service at the restaurant tonight was subpar.
Often appears as...
- subpar performance
- subpar service
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Below par in golf, a score that is less than the par for a hole or course.
She competed with a subpar score showing her exceptional skills in golf.
Often appears as...
- subpar score
- subpar round
Usage tips
Approving
Technical
adjective
Below the usual standard or quality.
The service at the restaurant tonight was subpar.
Often appears as...
- subpar performance
- subpar service
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Below par in golf, a score that is less than the par for a hole or course.
She competed with a subpar score showing her exceptional skills in golf.
Often appears as...
- subpar score
- subpar round
Usage tips
Approving
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Nuance
Subpar implies dissatisfaction or disappointment with the quality of something.
His attitude has been really subpar lately.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Just Bad
Subpar means something is not just bad, but worse than expected.
The special effects in that movie were subpar for such a big studio.
Pro Tip 3/3Softened Critique
Using 'subpar' can be a diplomatic way to criticize without being too harsh.
The project results were subpar, so let's discuss how to improve.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Nuance
Subpar implies dissatisfaction or disappointment with the quality of something.
His attitude has been really subpar lately.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Just Bad
Subpar means something is not just bad, but worse than expected.
The special effects in that movie were subpar for such a big studio.
Pro Tip 3/3Softened Critique
Using 'subpar' can be a diplomatic way to criticize without being too harsh.
The project results were subpar, so let's discuss how to improve.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Nuance
Subpar implies dissatisfaction or disappointment with the quality of something.
His attitude has been really subpar lately.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Just Bad
Subpar means something is not just bad, but worse than expected.
The special effects in that movie were subpar for such a big studio.
Pro Tip 3/3Softened Critique
Using 'subpar' can be a diplomatic way to criticize without being too harsh.
The project results were subpar, so let's discuss how to improve.
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Video examples
How "baby bonds" could...
to a neoliberal approach in which the market is presumed to be the solution for all our problems, economic or otherwise. As a result, the onus of social mobility has shifted on to the individual. The pervasive narrative is that even if your lot in life is subpar,
Video examples
How "baby bonds" could...
to a neoliberal approach in which the market is presumed to be the solution for all our problems, economic or otherwise. As a result, the onus of social mobility has shifted on to the individual. The pervasive narrative is that even if your lot in life is subpar,
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
James O'Shaughnessy
American Businessman
Historically, we have always seen reversion to the mean. After stocks have had an unusually great 10 or 20 years, they typically turn in subpar results over the next 10 or 20, and after bad 10- to 20-year stretches, the next 10 to 20 tend to be above average.
Quote examples
Forrest Griffin
American Athlete
It was weird, I saw the Brian Stann vs. Wanderlei fight, I thought, if I don't have another of those in me, there's no point in continuing. I never really cared about winning or losing, then don't put the product out there at all if it's going to be subpar.
Quote examples
Patrisse Cullors
American Activist
During my high-risk pregnancy, I consistently experienced subpar care from my hospital, which led me to hire two midwives instead. They provided me with excellent and loving care, and they made my pregnancy a truly special and powerful moment in my life.
Quote examples
John Romaniello
American Author
If your diet is dialed in, you can train in a pretty subpar manner and still get passable results. On the other hand, if your training is fantastic but your diet is crap, you have a harder road ahead of you.
Quote examples
Danny Meyer
American Businessman
Short of hiring a new staff, consider giving subpar workers a chance to improve. Tell them why they're not measuring up and give them a set amount of time to make specific improvements.
Quote examples
Jim Jefferies
Australian Comedian
My girlfriend buys stuff from Trader Joe's, and it's just subpar. When you buy a burrito, it crumbles the way a proper burrito shouldn't. Everything's just crap there.
Quote examples
Jaz Sinclair
It's such an easy thing with characters who are the friends of the main person to make their love subpar or not interesting or not developed.
Quote examples
Walt Mossberg
American Journalist
Compared to running apps on a smartphone or, more aptly, an iPad, the app experience on the Samsung Chromebook Plus is distinctly subpar.
Quote examples
James O'Shaughnessy
American Businessman
Historically, we have always seen reversion to the mean. After stocks have had an unusually great 10 or 20 years, they typically turn in subpar results over the next 10 or 20, and after bad 10- to 20-year stretches, the next 10 to 20 tend to be above average.
Quote examples
Forrest Griffin
American Athlete
It was weird, I saw the Brian Stann vs. Wanderlei fight, I thought, if I don't have another of those in me, there's no point in continuing. I never really cared about winning or losing, then don't put the product out there at all if it's going to be subpar.
Quote examples
Patrisse Cullors
American Activist
During my high-risk pregnancy, I consistently experienced subpar care from my hospital, which led me to hire two midwives instead. They provided me with excellent and loving care, and they made my pregnancy a truly special and powerful moment in my life.
Quote examples
John Romaniello
American Author
If your diet is dialed in, you can train in a pretty subpar manner and still get passable results. On the other hand, if your training is fantastic but your diet is crap, you have a harder road ahead of you.
Quote examples
Danny Meyer
American Businessman
Short of hiring a new staff, consider giving subpar workers a chance to improve. Tell them why they're not measuring up and give them a set amount of time to make specific improvements.
Quote examples
Jim Jefferies
Australian Comedian
My girlfriend buys stuff from Trader Joe's, and it's just subpar. When you buy a burrito, it crumbles the way a proper burrito shouldn't. Everything's just crap there.
Quote examples
Jaz Sinclair
It's such an easy thing with characters who are the friends of the main person to make their love subpar or not interesting or not developed.
Quote examples
Walt Mossberg
American Journalist
Compared to running apps on a smartphone or, more aptly, an iPad, the app experience on the Samsung Chromebook Plus is distinctly subpar.
Example 1 of 8
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