SO-SO Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

so-so 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of so-so

as in decent

of average to below average quality a so-so production of a great play

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

so-so

2 of 2

adverb

ˈsō-ˈsō

as in good

in a satisfactory way I think I did so-so on the test

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 so-so

Adjective

Is solid production in the AHL and abroad, but so-so results in the NHL now worth a long-term deal at $4 million per year? — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Moreover, the battery life is lacking, the camera is so-so, and the speaker isn't great for listening to calls or media. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026

Adverb

Within Nanjiani’s so-so performance is a cautionary tale about Taskmaster’s recent casting methods and what this show both requires from, and owes to, its competitors. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 June 2026 One sophomore series that has been getting so-so reviews, Tom Segura’s Bad Thoughts, made a quiet return last week. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for so-so

Recent Examples of Synonyms for so-so

Adjective

The role of a legitimate people’s government is to level the playing field between the billionaires and the rest of us who are just trying to provide ourselves with decent, dignified lives and get ahead.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
Like any decent strength coach, Potts and his staff hold their athletes to the consistent standard of challenging themselves.

— PJ Green October 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of decent

Adverb

Five weeks before the midterm elections, Republicans seized on the promise of good-paying jobs and a central role for the heartland in the push for American steel manufacturing.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
From this interviewer’s perspective, Diaz appears remarkably good-humored on the eve of his publicity whirlwind.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of good

Adjective

Roan also adds an new verse to the song, slightly changing the lyrics to reference a mediocre female suitor alongside Rodrigo’s original lines.

— Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
Neither release became a theatrical phenomenon, but each earned more than $40 million worldwide — suggesting even mediocre horror films can get respectable returns when their premises are appealing enough.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of mediocre

Adverb

After the topical treatment, comb the hair with a fine-toothed comb to ensure that no live lice remain.

— Emily J. C. Wong, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
Opened in 2019 by entrepreneur Lorenzo Querci, the sprawling 700-square-meter venue is part-bar, part-restaurant, and part-cultural space, with live music, a record shop, and a fine-dining restaurant all under one roof.

— Alessia Armenise, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of fine

Adjective

An uninterrupted trip Stoliker thinks chaos is not a satisfactory explanation for psychedelics’ effect on the brain.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026
After months of negotiations failed to yield a satisfactory agreement, the union approved strike action earlier this month in a vote held in tandem with unions at the Brooklyn Museum and American Folk Art Museum.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of satisfactory

Adverb

Though the spacecraft seemed to work alright, the crew got a little snippy during their 11 days in space.

— Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Matthew McConaughey hopes that Woody Harrelson has a more than alright, alright, alright 65th birthday.

— Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 25 July 2026

Definition of alright

Adjective

But some of that is surely on the fact the Browns offensive line has been inconsistent, coach Todd Monken's offense is a work in progress and the running game is middling.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
This isn’t entirely surprising given how middling reviews for the film have been.

— Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of middling

Adverb

The vocals from both Lamar and Rihanna cut through the mix nicely, and the percussion was nice and detailed.

— Christian de Looper, PC Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026
Setting the shifting moods expertly is Michael Giacchino’s score that nicely avoids the clichés of the genre(s) while still honoring them.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of nicely

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sort (through)

so-so

sot

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“So-so.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/so-so. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of so-so

adjective

adverb

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