Synonyms of second-rate

second-rate

adjective

ˌse-kən(d)-ˈrāt 

1

as in decent

of average to below average quality

a second-rate song from a songwriter who has done much better

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decent
• mediocre
• satisfactory
• second-class
• middling
• ordinary
• medium
• indifferent
• passable
• common
• run-of-the-mill
• fair
• so-so
• adequate
• respectable
• reasonable
• acceptable
• run-of-the-mine
• nice
• good
• run-of-mine
• okay
• modest
• sufficient
• fine
• tolerable
• moderate
• OK
• all right
• minimal
• presentable
• alright
• unexceptional
• sufficing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• superior
• first-class
• excellent
• special
• outstanding
• great
• prime
• splendid
• superlative
• exceptional
• classic
• distinguished
• superb
• supreme
• top
• terrific
• optimal
• stellar
• sensational
• optimum
• maximum
• exquisite
• marvellous
• marvelous
• peerless
• choice
• grand
• fantastic
• sterling
• fabulous
• preeminent
• first-rate
• matchless
• par excellence
• swell
• capital
• nifty
• number one
• A1
• top-notch
• No. 1
• unparalleled
• unmatched
• inadequate
• unsatisfactory
• tip-top
• unsurpassed
• lacking
• insufficient
• unacceptable
• deficient
• wanting

2

as in inferior

of little or less value or merit

a second-rate company that was never considered among the top manufacturers of televisions

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inferior
• minor
• mean
• smaller
• second-class
• secondary
• ordinary
• lesser
• petty
• subordinate
• inadequate
• lower
• low-level
• junior
• average
• unsatisfactory
• defective
• under
• middling
• insufficient
• unacceptable
• wrong
• common
• deficient
• bad
• low-rent
• amiss
• two-bit
• fair
• small-time
• littler
• jerkwater
• slighter
• one-horse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• higher
• greater
• superior
• more
• major
• senior
• primary
• first-class
• prime
• exceptional
• adequate
• acceptable
• select
• choice
• sufficient
• first-rate
• high-grade
• premium
• selected

3

as in cheap

of low quality

second-rate goods specifically manufactured for the low end of the market

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inferior
• cheap
• poor
• terrible
• rotten
• bad
• coarse
• mediocre
• worthless
• common
• low-rent
• low-grade
• shoddy
• useless
• wretched
• rubbishy
• lousy
• crappy
• miserable
• execrable
• bum
• trashy
• cheesy
• counterfeit
• junky
• cut-rate
• sleazy
• schlocky
• cheapjack
• bargain-basement
• gimcrack
• fake
• schlock
• shlocky
• shlock
• trumpery
• valueless
• second-class
• lackluster
• tawdry
• indifferent
• meretricious
• gaudy
• garish
• showy
• swanky
• el cheapo
• kitschy
• glitzy
• flashy
• shabby
• ostentatious
• kitsch
• swank
• tacky
• seedy
• phoney
• phony
• splashy
• sham
• ultracheap
• brummagem
• supercheap

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• superior
• excellent
• good
• first-class
• fine
• high-grade
• first-rate
• handsome
• elegant
• top-notch
• tasteful
• polished
• refined
• handcrafted

Examples of second-rate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Iran is another second-rate safe haven for al Qaeda. —Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2021

Aside from the weather, hourlong wait times for food, defective wristbands and second-rate VIP experiences were among the complaints from festivalgoers. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 5 May 2024

The world’s most valuable basketball franchise has a second-rate broadcasting team. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 5 May 2024

Movies based on vintage, often second-rate network shows don’t usually offer audiences much more than weak, watery nostalgia. —Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024