1
as in decent
of average to below average quality
a second-rate song from a songwriter who has done much better
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cheap
of low quality
second-rate goods specifically manufactured for the low end of the market
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of second-rate
According to projections by the International Energy Agency, Russia will forgo more than $1 trillion in oil and gas revenues by 2030, relegating the country to a second-rate energy power.
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Edward Fishman, Foreign Affairs, 23 Feb. 2023
For some philosophers, hope is a second-rate way of relating to reality.
—Big Think, 24 June 2024
After the composer’s death, a hokey big operatic ending got tacked on with a showy duet by a second-rate composer, Franco Alfano.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024
Iran is another second-rate safe haven for al Qaeda.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2021
See all Example Sentences for second-rate 
Edward Fishman, Foreign Affairs, 23 Feb. 2023
For some philosophers, hope is a second-rate way of relating to reality.
—Big Think, 24 June 2024
After the composer’s death, a hokey big operatic ending got tacked on with a showy duet by a second-rate composer, Franco Alfano.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024
Iran is another second-rate safe haven for al Qaeda.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2021
See all Example Sentences for second-rate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for second-rate
Adjective
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Housing is impacting everyone, even those who are making a decent wage.Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2025
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The game also features a non-linear narrative, giving you missions for four distinct factions — not unlike Outlaws —and each one has its own vision for humanity’s future, ultimately deciding on the story’s fate, meaning there’s probably a decent chance there’s plenty of replayability.Matt Gardner, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The Browns dismantled their offense this year and rebuilt an inferior version in an attempt to appease Deshaun Watson.Jason Lloyd, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
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Aristotle argued that some people, such as those with mental impairments, were inferior to those with greater mental faculties.Monti Datta, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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New England legislators and regulators consistently blocked building additional pipelines from the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and other regions in the U.S. and Canada, which could bring cheap, onshore natural gas to replace fuel oil.Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
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The 25-year-old is cheap, still a season away from salary arbitration eligibility, also plays the corner outfield spots, and won’t be a free agent until after the 2028 season.Brendan Kuty, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Readying For The Next Wave No doubt, there will be many who put and keep mediocre AI tools on the market.Peter Guagenti, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
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The game's current state on the console isn't the most polished, running at an inconsistent 30fps with mediocre image quality.Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The other victims suffered smoke inhalation and other minor injuries.Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025
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The primary response is to make aesthetic tweaks and minor comfort improvements.Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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With sleep disorders affecting approximately 70 million Americans and poor sleep linked to serious health risks like heart disease, stroke and cognitive decline, the Tone Buds represent a significant advancement in personal sleep technology.Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
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Everybody connected to the death of this poor guy is dead now.Makena Gera, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This side hustle is beneficial in so many ways, not only in benefiting the organization if your pick is selected, but in reducing unemployment, which is such a satisfactory feeling.Rachel Wells, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
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The facility received satisfactory marks during its annual audit, according to the sheriff’s office.Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The 10th pick and an extra second-rounder mean strong draft capital.Jacob Robinson, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
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In other words, even now, decades after the disability rights movement began, people are mean.Angela Haupt, TIME, 6 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near second-rate
Cite this Entry
“Second-rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second-rate. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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