suboptimal

[ suhb-op-tuh-muh l ]

/ sʌbˈɒp tə məl /

being below an optimal level or standard.

Nearby words

Also sub·op·ti·mum

[suhb-op-tuh-muh m] /sʌbˈɒp tə məm/.

First recorded in 1930–35; sub- + optimal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

And the long-term trend of growth—unsatisfying, sub-par, sub-optimal, and insufficient growth—is still intact.
The U.S. Economy Had a Hiccup, Not a Heart Attack, This Year|Daniel Gross|May 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The patient declared cardiac dead has organs that are sub-optimal due to loss of blood flow to the organs.
A Tragedy Compounded: The Heart-Wrenching Case of Jahi McMath May Have Devastating Consequences to Organ Donation|Soumitra R. Eachempati, MD|January 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There is no longer any room for those with sub-optimal looks.
Marty Feldman: Dead Cool|Simon Doonan|November 2, 2009|DAILY BEAST

adj.

also sub-optimal, 1901, from sub- + optimal. Related: Suboptimally.