ˌsəb-ˈäp-tə-məl
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
yes, living on junk food generally means that you have a suboptimal diet
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of suboptimal
But the overall point is valid, looks like suboptimal surgery.
—
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Strict posting schedules can lead to suboptimal content timing, and not allowing content editing prevents the influencer from adapting the message to their audience.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
But even with their limited entries into the final third, the U.S. was often saved by Japan serving a suboptimal final ball.
—Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 3 Aug. 2024
Habits that contribute to insomnia include excessive screen time before bed, suboptimal lighting and room temperatures in the bedroom as well as consuming caffeine, alcohol or large portions of food prior to sleep.
—Omer Awan, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for suboptimal 
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Strict posting schedules can lead to suboptimal content timing, and not allowing content editing prevents the influencer from adapting the message to their audience.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
But even with their limited entries into the final third, the U.S. was often saved by Japan serving a suboptimal final ball.
—Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 3 Aug. 2024
Habits that contribute to insomnia include excessive screen time before bed, suboptimal lighting and room temperatures in the bedroom as well as consuming caffeine, alcohol or large portions of food prior to sleep.
—Omer Awan, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for suboptimal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suboptimal
Adjective
-
The section says that Amazon believes in creating a diverse and inclusive company and that inequitable treatment of anyone is unacceptable.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2025
-
One glaring weakness Poles probably spent too much time talking about Williams’ role in the unacceptable number of sacks.—
Kevin Fishbain,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Everybody connected to the death of this poor guy is dead now.—
Makena Gera,
People.com,
12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Kohn said he was relieved to finally have a doctor who could tell him what was wrong.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
18 Jan. 2025
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The outlet reports that Puente would even continue to write letters to her tenants’ family members for months following their deaths in order to cover her tracks and lead the families to believe nothing was wrong.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.—
Kevin Fisher-Paulson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 June 2021
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My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.—
Tim Neville,
Outside Online,
23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
-
Trump's first term was considered really bad at -4%.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
11 Jan. 2025
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Related to this, the second Trump administration begins in a much worse fiscal place as the first Trump government did in 2016.—
Mike O'Sullivan,
Forbes,
11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Vitamin D More than 40% of adult Americans are deficient in vitamin D. Low levels are linked to fatigue, bone pain, muscle weakness, mood disorders and cognitive decline.—
Lina Begdache,
The Conversation,
7 Jan. 2025
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People with depression are more likely to be deficient in vitamin D, and vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of depression.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Better than biogas Despite the shortcomings of California’s decision to value manure biogas so highly, there was some logic — however flawed — to the decision.—
Kenny Torrella,
Vox,
13 Jan. 2025
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But an analysis by the Associated Press late last year found the study had relied on old and flawed data to make its conclusions.—
Will Carless,
USA TODAY,
10 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near suboptimal
Cite this Entry
“Suboptimal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suboptimal. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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