bar·gain-base·ment
ˈbär-gən-ˈbās-mənt 
1
: of inferior quality or worth
2
: markedly inexpensive
bargain-basement rates
: a section of a store (such as the basement) where merchandise is sold at reduced prices
Examples of bargain-basement in a Sentence
Adjective
throughout the trip we ate at bargain-basement restaurants in order to save money
bargain-basement shoes that fell apart after a week
Recent Examples on the Web
Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Not too long ago, Western markets were subtly dismissing Chinese cars for coming off as bargain-basement alternatives.
—New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2025
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
Rather than scouring Ligue 1’s bargain basement, the emphasis was on finding elite-level players who could improve an already successful team.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bargain-basement
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
These were more like bargain-basement metal plates that filled a portion of his mouth.
—Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Not too long ago, Western markets were subtly dismissing Chinese cars for coming off as bargain-basement alternatives.
—New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
Warners’ once bargain basement stock price has doubled since then, with shares hitting a three-year high Tuesday, rising 11%.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
Rather than scouring Ligue 1’s bargain basement, the emphasis was on finding elite-level players who could improve an already successful team.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bargain-basement
Cite this Entry
“Bargain-basement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bargain-basement. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share