suboptimal
adjective
sub·op·ti·mal
ˌsəb-ˈäp-tə-məl
variants
or sub-optimal
: less than optimal : not at the best possible level
suboptimal performance
suboptimal conditions/results/solutions
received suboptimal care
… such is life at the sharp end of evolution, where the pursuit of self-interest frequently leads to suboptimal outcomes for all concerned.—
The Economist
The EconomistTraining at sub-optimal levels fatigues you and wastes time you could have spent at the high levels you hope to achieve.—Rick Crawford
Rick Crawford
suboptimally
adverb
or sub-optimally
… countless companies perform suboptimally. They fail to capitalize on a unique competitive advantage.
—Erik Matson
Erik Matson
Examples of suboptimal in a Sentence
yes, living on junk food generally means that you have a suboptimal diet
Recent Examples on the Web
None of these goals can be realized following the suboptimal landing, but data returned from MAPP's time in transit to the moon, in lunar orbit and on the surface validated a range of systems and components that will be useful for Lunar Orbit's upcoming missions.
—Andrew Jones, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Given suboptimal vaccine rates among children in Texas and rising vaccine hesitancy in the United States, clear and effective message is crucial in curbing the spread of measles.
—Omer Awan, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Basically every Ranger looked bad, which seems suboptimal.
—Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Inevitably, that leads to suboptimal solutions with less efficiency and scalability.
—Natan Linder, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suboptimal
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Andrew Jones, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Given suboptimal vaccine rates among children in Texas and rising vaccine hesitancy in the United States, clear and effective message is crucial in curbing the spread of measles.
—Omer Awan, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Basically every Ranger looked bad, which seems suboptimal.
—Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Inevitably, that leads to suboptimal solutions with less efficiency and scalability.
—Natan Linder, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suboptimal
Cite this Entry
“Suboptimal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suboptimal. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
suboptimal
adjective
sub·op·ti·mal
ˌsəb-ˈäp-tə-məl
: less than optimal
a suboptimal diet
a suboptimal dose of a drug
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