subpar
Americanadjective
Etymology
Origin of subpar
First recorded in 1895–1900; sub- ( def. ) + par 1 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On other tracks, she stands on business, solidifying her status as a major catch and refusing to compromise for a subpar man.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
The Occidental underperformance highlights Berkshire’s generally subpar U.S. stock picking—new buys and sells—over the past six or seven years.
From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026
He posts on X about subpar city snow clearing and various internet memes.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026
The numbers: The U.S. expanded at a subpar 1.4% annual pace in the fourth quarter of 2025, depressed by a long federal shutdown that caused government spending to plunge.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 20, 2026
Faraday never complained when the meals they made were subpar.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
