Looking for synonyms for poor quality? We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of other ways to say poor quality.
- Substandard
- Inferior
- Low-grade
- Shoddy
- Mediocre
- Deficient
- Unsatisfactory
- Second-rate
- Below par
- Subpar
- Third-rate
- Low-quality
- Inadequate
- Faulty
- Suboptimal
Want to learn how to say poor quality professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.
1. Substandard
When to use: Use “Substandard” to describe something that fails to meet the required or expected standards.
Example: “The construction materials supplied were of substandard quality, leading to safety concerns.”
2. Inferior
When to use: “Inferior” is suitable for describing something that is lower in quality compared to others.
Example: “The product’s performance was inferior to its competitors in the market.”
3. Low-grade
When to use: Use “Low-grade” when referring to something that is of poor or lesser quality.
Example: “Low-grade materials were used in the manufacturing of these products, affecting their durability.”
4. Shoddy
When to use: “Shoddy” is appropriate for something that is badly made or carelessly done.
Example: “The report was shoddy, with numerous errors and incomplete analysis.”
5. Mediocre
When to use: Use “Mediocre” to describe something of only average or moderate quality; not very good.
Example: “The service at the hotel was mediocre, certainly not up to the expected standard.”
6. Deficient
When to use: “Deficient” is suitable for something that is lacking in quality or quantity.
Example: “The deficient design of the software made it difficult to use effectively.”
7. Unsatisfactory
When to use: Use “Unsatisfactory” to describe something that does not meet the expected or desired standards.
Example: “The audit results were unsatisfactory, indicating several areas of non-compliance.”
8. Second-rate
When to use: “Second-rate” is used for something considered to be of lower quality or less value.
Example: “The materials used in this batch of products are second-rate, not what we usually expect.”
9. Below Par
When to use: Use “Below Par” to describe something that is below the standard or average level.
Example: “The recent performance of the team has been below par compared to previous quarters.”
10. Subpar
When to use: “Subpar” is appropriate for something that is below an average level or standard.
Example: “The project’s progress has been subpar and needs immediate attention.”
11. Third-rate
When to use: Use “Third-rate” to describe something that is of very poor quality.
Example: “The third-rate equipment is causing frequent production delays.”
12. Low-quality
When to use: “Low-quality” is suitable for describing something that does not meet the standards of high quality.
Example: “These are low-quality components and not suitable for our high-end product line.”
13. Inadequate
When to use: Use “Inadequate” when something is insufficient or not good enough.
Example: “The inadequate safety measures led to a hazardous work environment.”
14. Faulty
When to use: “Faulty” is appropriate for something that has flaws, defects, or imperfections.
Example: “The machine was recalled due to faulty wiring that posed a fire risk.”
15. Suboptimal
When to use: Use “Suboptimal” to describe something that is below the best or desired standard.
Example: “The suboptimal performance of the new software system has led to workflow inefficiencies.”
