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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Example 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.
—
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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Many people who celebrated (or joked about the murder) had been hurt by callus policies that made CEOs richer while their family members could not access decent health care.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
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Fans should have a decent idea about what the WrestleMania 41 main events will look like by spring.—
Ryan Gaydos,
Fox News,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, while there may still be a secular public school in this community, if only a small handful of students attend this traditional public school, that school will most likely lack the resources of the Lutheran school, and will offer an inferior education.—
Ian Millhiser,
Vox,
28 Jan. 2025
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The period’s stucco product, the common alternative to wood for exteriors, was inferior to today’s, carrying only a one-hour fire rating.—
Richard Olsen,
Forbes,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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When done right, this type of content may be cheaper to produce compared to scripted shows, and bring in new (typically younger) demographics who have currently have more of an affinity to YouTube and other social media channels.—
Kiri Masters,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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Similar to the trend in consumer electronics, in which more computing power and other capability can be packed into smaller devices, satellites have also gotten smaller and cheaper.—
Eric Berger,
Ars Technica,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In the mediocre East, the Bulls are good enough to have at least a shot at the postseason.—
Joel Thayer,
Newsweek,
26 Jan. 2025
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Walsh and his defensive coordinator, George Seifert, correctly diagnosed Miami’s mediocre running game.—
Mark Purdy,
The Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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By actively hiring individuals with prior convictions, corporations can take a meaningful step toward economic justice, ensuring that those who were once punished for minor drug offenses have a chance to rebuild their lives.—
Summer Westerbur,
Rolling Stone,
27 Jan. 2025
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Although it’s injured after escaping from one of the traps, Yuri manages to bond with the little critter and treat its minor lacerations after smuggling him home in her backpack.—
Justin Lowe,
The Hollywood Reporter,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Understand that poor sleep hygiene can negatively impact the quantity and quality of sleep.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
24 Jan. 2025
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The Texans’ offensive line was mostly poor this season, unable to consistently protect Stroud.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But the federal investigation was not satisfactory to many of King’s family members and associates, who knew of the FBI’s years-long investigation of the minister, and Director J. Edgar Hoover’s obsession with him as a potential communist influence.—
Andy Rose,
CNN,
25 Jan. 2025
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By applying enough pressure now, the thinking goes, Ukraine and its backers can enter talks from a favorable position, and Russian President Vladimir Putin will be forced to engage in good-faith negotiations that end in a satisfactory settlement.—
Alexandra Prokopenko,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In his regular Instagram videos, Pearson playfully calls out people who have posted mean comments about his appearance.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
18 Jan. 2025
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Meanwhile, mean January temperatures of 12.6 degrees have been about 4 degrees below normal, NWS meteorologist Brennan Dettmann told Axios.—
Nick Halter,
Axios,
16 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 2 Feb. 2025.
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