1
as in normality
the quality or state of being mediocre
She's a perfectionist who refuses to settle for mediocrity.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nothing
a person of little fame
He surrounded himself with mediocrities to appear more notable by comparison.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mediocrity
Four decades later, mediocrity would be an improvement.
—
Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2025
Still, regardless of the rhetoric or DEI's removal, America will never achieve true exceptionalism without eschewing its penchant for rewarding white mediocrity.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Seeking anything and everything to help rescue the Heat from a season-long cycle of mediocrity, coach Erik Spoelstra keeps turning to youth, inserting Kel’el Ware as a starter this week and increasing the roles of Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic during different stretches of the season.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025
After five years of consecutive loss-making amid mediocrity on the pitch and stagnant revenues off it, United have had to defer payments, spend on credit and pull different financial levers to maintain their level of investment in the playing squad.
—Mark Critchley, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for mediocrity 
Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2025
Still, regardless of the rhetoric or DEI's removal, America will never achieve true exceptionalism without eschewing its penchant for rewarding white mediocrity.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Seeking anything and everything to help rescue the Heat from a season-long cycle of mediocrity, coach Erik Spoelstra keeps turning to youth, inserting Kel’el Ware as a starter this week and increasing the roles of Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic during different stretches of the season.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025
After five years of consecutive loss-making amid mediocrity on the pitch and stagnant revenues off it, United have had to defer payments, spend on credit and pull different financial levers to maintain their level of investment in the playing squad.
—Mark Critchley, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for mediocrity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mediocrity
Noun
-
My memoir was built of gaps, juxtaposition, weird little nothings.—
Cheri Lucas Rowlands,
Longreads,
16 Dec. 2024
-
The one whose legs turned nothings into somethings, improvising the Lions’ entire defensive game plan into a pile of ash?—
Sean Keeler,
The Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2024
Noun
-
The opera disappeared, and Dédé’s legacy faded into obscurity.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
31 Jan. 2025
-
The Santa Cruz Mountain range — as far as its wines go — is shrouded in relative obscurity despite its rich history and undeniable potential.—
David Rosoff,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Lice are parasitic insects that spread through close contact and require prompt treatment with medicated shampoos.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
2 Feb. 2025
-
Check previous plant additions for mites and insects.—
Tom MacCubbin,
Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Musk’s minions were also granted access to the entire Treasury Department payment system and have proceeded to block payments to select federal contractors.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2025
-
The funeral procession that climaxes Emilia Pérez is the damnedest, craziest thing since Nancy Pelosi and her Democratic minions draped kente cloth stoles over their shoulders and kneeled to canonize George Floyd at the Capitol.—
Armond White,
National Review,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Those free passes were a frequent abuse of the law in the past, and low-profile corporate nobodies got away with them for years.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Feb. 2025
-
The owner, knowing that his establishment is at capacity and taking into consideration the troublesome nobodies who are seeking entry, brusquely sends them away.—
Andy Biggs,
Newsweek,
24 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
There was a young woman who dressed as a Boston Marathon bombing victim for Halloween.—
Kelsey McKinney,
Rolling Stone,
8 Feb. 2025
-
In January, they were spotted together visiting the World Central Kitchen in Pasadena, Calif., to help distribute food and supplies to victims of the Eaton Fire.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near mediocrity
Cite this Entry
“Mediocrity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mediocrity. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share