fourth-rate
Well below average
Fourth-rate describes something of very poor quality, far below acceptable standards.
The rating scale implies gradations—first-rate is excellent, second-rate adequate, third-rate mediocre—and fourth-rate falls below even that: a fourth-rate hotel with stained carpets and broken fixtures.
The term suggests something barely worth considering.
Of moderate quality
- averageArithmetic mean or ordinary
- ordinaryStandard, unremarkable
- unremarkableNot worthy of comment
- undistinguishedLacking notable qualities
so-so · passable · indifferent · run-of-the-mill · commonplace · pedestrian · unexceptional · forgettable
Below required quality
tawdry · low-quality · deficient · inadequate · subpar · faulty · flimsy · bottom-tier
Arousing scornful pity
- lousyOf very poor quality
- crummyWretchedly inferior
- shabbyWorn and neglected
- worthlessLacking any value
deplorable · abysmal · dreadful · terrible · horrible · atrocious · appalling · pitiful
Lacking professional skill
- ineptLacking skill or competence
- incompetentLacking necessary skill
- unprofessionalNot meeting workplace standards
- unskilledLacking acquired competence
clumsy · crude · second-string · hack · bungling · slipshod · slapdash · half-baked
middling
Of moderate quality
- averageArithmetic mean or ordinary
- ordinaryStandard, unremarkable
- unremarkableNot worthy of comment
undistinguished · so-so · passable · indifferent · run-of-the-mill · commonplace · pedestrian · unexceptional · forgettable · lackluster
substandard
Below required quality
trashy · tawdry · low-quality · deficient · inadequate · subpar · faulty · flimsy · bottom-tier · bargain-basement
pathetic
Arousing scornful pity
worthless · deplorable · abysmal · dreadful · terrible · horrible · atrocious · appalling · pitiful · woeful
amateurish
Lacking professional skill
- ineptLacking skill or competence
- incompetentLacking necessary skill
- unprofessionalNot meeting workplace standards
unskilled · clumsy · crude · second-string · hack · bungling · slipshod · slapdash · half-baked · rinky-dink
fourth-ratefirst-rate
Of superior quality
first-class · top-notch · top-tier · world-class · premier
fourth-rateexcellent
Of superior quality
superior · outstanding · exceptional · superb · superlative
fourth, rate, four, rates, rated, rating, ratings, rater, raters