second-rate
adjective
sec·ond-rate ˌse-kən(d)-ˈrāt 
: of second or inferior quality or value : mediocre
a second-rate restaurant
second-rateness noun
second-rater
ˌse-kən(d)-ˈrā-tər
noun 
Synonyms
- common
- fair
- indifferent
- mediocre
- medium
- middling
- ordinary
- passable
- run-of-the-mill
- run-of-the-mine
- run-of-mine
- second-class
- so-so
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
First Known Use
1669, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
second-rate
adjective
sec·ond-rate
ˌse-kənd-ˈrāt
: of ordinary or second quality or value
She buys second-rate clothing.
second-rate
adjective
1
as in mediocre
of average to below average quality a second-rate song from a songwriter who has done much better Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- mediocre
- decent
- middling
- satisfactory
- ordinary
- medium
- indifferent
- passable
- second-class
- run-of-the-mill
- so-so
- common
- fair
- respectable
- adequate
- acceptable
- reasonable
- run-of-the-mine
- good
- nice
- modest
- fine
- run-of-mine
- sufficient
- tolerable
- alright
- unexceptional
- all right
- moderate
- minimal
- sufficing
- okay
- presentable
- OK
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- superior
- excellent
- special
- great
- outstanding
- prime
- superlative
- splendid
- classic
- exceptional
- superb
- supreme
- terrific
- stellar
- distinguished
- sensational
- top
- peerless
- exquisite
- optimal
- marvellous
- optimum
- marvelous
- maximum
- choice
- preeminent
- grand
- matchless
- fantastic
- sterling
- fabulous
- par excellence
- first-rate
- swell
- capital
- nifty
- first-class
- top-notch
- unparalleled
- unmatched
- inadequate
- unsatisfactory
- tip-top
- unsurpassed
- lacking
- number one
- insufficient
- unacceptable
- deficient
- A1
- No. 1
- wanting
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
- inferior
- minor
- mean
- smaller
- secondary
- second-class
- smaller
- lesser
- ordinary
- middling
- petty
- subordinate
- unsatisfactory
- inadequate
- junior
- under
- defective
- average
- lower
- low-level
- unacceptable
- low-rent
- deficient
- insufficient
- two-bit
- wrong
- bad
- common
- amiss
- jerkwater
- small-time
- littler
- slighter
- fair
- one-horse
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- superior
- higher
- greater
- more
- major
- senior
- primary
- prime
- premium
- exceptional
- first-rate
- adequate
- choice
- acceptable
- first-class
- selected
- select
- sufficient
- high-grade
3
as in cheap
of low quality second-rate goods specifically manufactured for the low end of the market Synonyms & Similar Words
- inferior
- cheap
- poor
- terrible
- rotten
- bad
- mediocre
- worthless
- coarse
- common
- shoddy
- useless
- wretched
- schlock
- rubbishy
- lousy
- crappy
- gimcrack
- execrable
- miserable
- low-rent
- cut-rate
- junky
- cheapjack
- trashy
- cheesy
- trumpery
- bum
- counterfeit
- sleazy
- bargain-basement
- low-grade
- fake
- schlocky
- shlock
- shlocky
- valueless
- lackluster
- tawdry
- meretricious
- indifferent
- gaudy
- garish
- showy
- kitschy
- glitzy
- kitsch
- shabby
- flashy
- second-class
- swank
- el cheapo
- ostentatious
- tacky
- seedy
- phony
- splashy
- sham
- swanky
- brummagem
- phoney
- ultracheap
- supercheap
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- superior
- excellent
- good
- fine
- first-rate
- first-class
- top-notch
- handsome
- high-grade
- elegant
- tasteful
- polished
- refined
- handcrafted