substandard

[ suhb-stan-derd ]

/ sʌbˈstæn dərd /

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See synonyms for substandard on Thesaurus.com

adjective

below standard or less than adequate: substandard housing conditions.

noting or pertaining to a dialect or variety of a language or a feature of usage that is often considered by others to mark its user as uneducated; nonstandard.

Insurance.

not measuring up to an insurer's regular standards in undertaking risks: a substandard risk.
pertaining to insurance written to cover substandard risks.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of substandard

First recorded in 1895–1900; sub- + standard

Words nearby substandard

subst., substage, substance, substance abuse, substance P, substandard, substantial, substantialism, substantialize, substantially, substantia nigra

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use substandard in a sentence

In South Africa, investigators found in September that 60 percent of “medical grade” face masks provided by companies hired for the task were substandard.
Who Goes From President to Prisoner?|Daniel Malloy|March 2, 2021|Ozy
He concluded that lab conditions for making the kits were substandard and that contamination was the most likely cause of the many N3 false positives, federal officials told The Post.
The CDC’s failed race against covid-19: A threat underestimated and a test overcomplicated|David Willman|December 26, 2020|Washington Post
Prison populations are sicker, on average, than the general population and health care behind bars is notoriously substandard.
Coronavirus is hitting prisons and jails hard—1 in 5 inmates has had COVID, and 1,700 have died|Bernhard Warner|December 18, 2020|Fortune
It has startled Heiden how many received substandard representation.
Maine Hires Lawyers With Criminal Records to Defend Its Poorest Residents|by Samantha Hogan, The Maine Monitor, with data analysis by Agnel Philip|October 6, 2020|ProPublica

Sinovac was not directly tied to any of China’s substandard vaccines, but the company has been prone to missteps.
China’s Sinovac plans to test COVID vaccine on children before the company is sure the inoculation works in adults|Grady McGregor|September 18, 2020|Fortune
The consequences of substandard teaching go far beyond whether college or a good job is in reach.
Vergara v. California: The Most Important Court Case You’ve Never Heard Of|Campbell Brown|May 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This building is at risk of erupting into flames due to substandard electrical wiring, SIGAR found.
U.S.-Built Schools in Afghanistan Pose ‘Potentially Life-Threatening Risks’||June 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Milam expresses a similar sentiment, dismissing the misconception that Web productions are substandard to traditional media.
Introducing ‘School of Thrones’: ‘Game of Thrones’ Parody Web Series|Molly Taylor|March 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Who will make sure that haste to satisfy the displaced does not lead to substandard building?
How Will the Tri-State Area Rebuild After Sandy?|Megan McArdle|November 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
They continue to be bogged down with allegations of substandard mental-health care.
Armed Services Members MIA in Presidential Debates, Campaign|Marjorie Morrison|October 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Get rid of the substandard wiring, the ancient, lead-leaching plumbing, the cracked tile and water-warped crumbling plaster.
Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town|Cory Doctorow
Substandard wages provide only a substandard market for the goods and services produced by American industry and agriculture.
State of the Union Addresses of Harry S. Truman|Harry S. Truman
This is shocking evidence that large sections of the population are at substandard levels of health.
State of the Union Addresses of Harry S. Truman|Harry S. Truman
Americans do not regard jobs that pay substandard wages as productive jobs.
State of the Union Addresses of Franklin D. Roosevelt|Franklin D. Roosevelt

British Dictionary definitions for substandard

substandard

/ (sʌbˈstændəd) /

adjective

below an established or required standard

another word for nonstandard

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

substandard

Origin of substandard

Words nearby substandard

Words related to substandard

How to use substandard in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for substandard