[1930–35; sub- + optimal]This word is first recorded in the period 1930–35. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: acoustic phonetics, hypercorrection, kickback, saddle stitch, videosub- is a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin (subject; subtract; subvert; subsidy). On this model, sub- is freely attached to elements of any origin and used with the meaning “under,” “below,”“beneath” (subalpine; substratum), “slightly,” “imperfectly,” “nearly” (subcolumnar; subtropical), “secondary,” “subordinate” (subcommittee; subplot)
Examples of 'suboptimal' in a sentence
suboptimal
It said the government had accepted that 'the outcome of the auction was suboptimal'.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
Low inflation and suboptimal growth are traditionally countered by rate cuts.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
That makes sense, the researchers say, because human decision-making is often 'suboptimal'.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The needs of many patients suffering suboptimal outcomes would be better served by a system of no-fault compensation.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You might well reflect that this lacks sagacity and regard it as, from their point of view, a suboptimal selection.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They also scored higher on attention and processing speed tests than their counterparts with suboptimal levels.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Yet if his pride is dented it should be because of his own failure rather than suboptimal players underperforming.