sub-par
Not good enough
Sub-par means below an expected or acceptable standard of quality or performance.
The term comes from golf, where par is the number of strokes a skilled player should need to complete a hole—so being under par is actually good in golf, but the figurative meaning flipped to emphasize falling short.
The service at that restaurant was sub-par.
After a sub-par first quarter, the team rallied.
Something sub-par disappoints because it fails to meet reasonable expectations.
Of only moderate quality
- substandardBelow required quality
- inferiorOf lower rank
- inadequateNot sufficient for purpose
- second-rateBelow acceptable standards
lackluster · deficient · poor · low-grade · shoddy · unacceptable · unsatisfactory · disappointing
Doing worse than expected
- falling shortNot meeting expectations
- missing the markFailing to achieve aim
- below expectationsWorse than anticipated
- disappointingFailing to satisfy expectations
slipping · struggling · failing · inconsistent · unreliable · underachieving · weak · sluggish
mediocre
Of only moderate quality
- substandardBelow required quality
- inferiorOf lower rank
- inadequateNot sufficient for purpose
second-rate · lackluster · deficient · poor · low-grade · shoddy · unacceptable · unsatisfactory · disappointing · lacking
underperforming
Doing worse than expected
- falling shortNot meeting expectations
- missing the markFailing to achieve aim
- below expectationsWorse than anticipated
disappointing · slipping · struggling · failing · inconsistent · unreliable · underachieving · weak · sluggish · lackluster
bogey
One over par
sub-parabove average
Better than the mean
superior · excellent · exceptional · outstanding · first-rate
sub-parstellar
Of or like celestial bodies
exemplary · outstanding · impressive · commendable · remarkable