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
Synonyms
Examples of suboptimal in a Sentence
yes, living on junk food generally means that you have a suboptimal diet
Recent Examples on the Web
These traps occur when, after some relatively rapid change to the environment, animals display a preference for suboptimal habitats that reduce their reproductive success.
—Lee Alan Dugatkin, Scientific American, 14 May 2024
As a result, the inaccessibility and the barriers perpetuated by the elevated costs of prescription medications not only provoke financial burdens but risk possible morbidity and mortality outcomes secondary to suboptimal medication adherence.
—Jenifer M. Rodrigues, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2024
Between suboptimal defense, inconsistent playing time and a couple of Triple-A demotions, Vientos had a tough rookie season.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2024
Indeed, it’s been shown that consumers systematically make suboptimal decisions when prices are dripped throughout the checkout process rather than disclosed up front, according to a 2020 study in Harvard Business School’s journal Marketing Science.
—Nerdwallet, The Mercury News, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for suboptimal 
Lee Alan Dugatkin, Scientific American, 14 May 2024
As a result, the inaccessibility and the barriers perpetuated by the elevated costs of prescription medications not only provoke financial burdens but risk possible morbidity and mortality outcomes secondary to suboptimal medication adherence.
—Jenifer M. Rodrigues, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2024
Between suboptimal defense, inconsistent playing time and a couple of Triple-A demotions, Vientos had a tough rookie season.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2024
Indeed, it’s been shown that consumers systematically make suboptimal decisions when prices are dripped throughout the checkout process rather than disclosed up front, according to a 2020 study in Harvard Business School’s journal Marketing Science.
—Nerdwallet, The Mercury News, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for suboptimal
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'suboptimal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near suboptimal
Cite this Entry
“Suboptimal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suboptimal. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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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