variants
or less commonly sub-par
chiefly US
: below par: such as
a
: below a usual or normal level or standard
subpar attendance
a subpar performance
Why would a major football school fire a successful coach following a single subpar season?—
Jerry Kirshenbaum
Jerry KirshenbaumBecause of phylloxera, vineyards have been inconsistent and yielding subpar grapes.—James Laube
James Laube
b
golf
: having a score lower than par
His 19 birdies and two eagles gave him more subpar holes than anyone …—David Barrett
David Barrett… Augusta National never played easier. … Saturday's 30 subpar rounds broke a third-round tournament record …—John Garrity
John Garrity
Did you know?
Since sub- means "below", almost anything that fails to measure up to a traditional standard may be called subpar. So you may hear of subpar ratings for a TV show, subpar care at a nursing home, subpar attendance at a concert, or subpar work by a contractor. If you played a subpar round of golf, though, you needed more strokes than you should have.
Examples of subpar in a Sentence
the service at the restaurant was subpar, to say the least
Recent Examples on the Web
Schoenbrun’s third feature, Teenage Sex & Death at Camp Miasma stars Einbinder as an enthusiastic young director who is tasked with resurrecting the Camp Miasma slasher franchise after years of subpar sequels and declining fandom.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 May 2026
After back surgery limited him to 18 games two seasons ago in Los Angeles and a subpar season in Edmonton (15 goals) last year, the 33-year-old Arvidsson had an excellent bounce-back season for the B’s, posting 25-29-54 totals and was plus-20 in 69 games.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026
Miami needed the bullpen to do well on Saturday because of a subpar start by Ciscar.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2026
Foley, who was previously mayor in Costa Mesa, said her constituents face a host of challenges, including the rising costs of living and subpar wages for caregivers.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for subpar
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.
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 May 2026
After back surgery limited him to 18 games two seasons ago in Los Angeles and a subpar season in Edmonton (15 goals) last year, the 33-year-old Arvidsson had an excellent bounce-back season for the B’s, posting 25-29-54 totals and was plus-20 in 69 games.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026
Miami needed the bullpen to do well on Saturday because of a subpar start by Ciscar.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2026
Foley, who was previously mayor in Costa Mesa, said her constituents face a host of challenges, including the rising costs of living and subpar wages for caregivers.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for subpar
Cite this Entry
“Subpar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subpar. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
