second-rater
Not the best
A second-rater is someone or something of inferior quality—not the best, not even average, but distinctly mediocre.
The term carries dismissive contempt: He's a second-rater who got the job through connections.
Unlike "runner-up," which implies close competition, second-rater suggests fundamental inadequacy.
Unsuccessful competitor
- washoutComplete failure or cancellation
- loserDefeated competitor
- has-beenFormer notable, now irrelevant
- flopComplete commercial failure
reject · failure · ne'er-do-well · disappointment · dud · bust · underachiever · letdown
Seldom-used team member
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- understudyBackup actor, ready nightly
- reserveSupply kept back
- substituteReplacement for another
sidelined · overshadowed · outclassed · eclipsed · marginalized · undervalued · unrecognized · uncelebrated
Shortcut or breach
- amateurNonprofessional participant
- bunglerInept person
- lightweightLacking mass or importance
- ineptLacking skill or competence
inadequate · deficient · ineffectual · bumbler · fumbler · dilettante · dabbler · botcher
Of only moderate quality
- averageArithmetic mean or ordinary
- middlingOf moderate quality
- ordinaryStandard, unremarkable
- passableMinimally sufficient quality
adequate · undistinguished · unremarkable · unexceptional · forgettable · lackluster · so-so · run-of-the-mill
also-ran
Unsuccessful competitor
- washoutComplete failure or cancellation
- loserDefeated competitor
- has-beenFormer notable, now irrelevant
flop · reject · failure · ne'er-do-well · disappointment · dud · bust · underachiever · letdown · nonstarter
benchwarmer
Seldom-used team member
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- understudyBackup actor, ready nightly
- reserveSupply kept back
substitute · sidelined · overshadowed · outclassed · eclipsed · marginalized · undervalued · unrecognized · uncelebrated · runner-up
hack
Shortcut or breach
- amateurNonprofessional participant
- bunglerInept person
- lightweightLacking mass or importance
inept · inadequate · deficient · ineffectual · bumbler · fumbler · dilettante · dabbler · botcher · blunderer
mediocre
Of only moderate quality
passable · adequate · undistinguished · unremarkable · unexceptional · forgettable · lackluster · so-so · run-of-the-mill · garden-variety
second-raterluminary
Inspiring figure or celestial body
leading light · heavyweight · elite · cream of the crop · top dog
rate, second, rating, rates, rated, second-rate, ratings, rater, raters