Bad
Bad adjective - Falling short of a standard.
Usage example: a bad first attempt at making meat loaf resulted in a soggy, inedible mess
Second-rate is a synonym for bad in inferior topic. In some cases you can use "Second-rate" instead an adjective "Bad", when it comes to topics like substandard.
Second-rate
Second-rate adjective - Of little or less value or merit.
Usage example: a second-rate company that was never considered among the top manufacturers of televisions
Bad is a synonym for second-rate in substandard topic. You can use "Bad" instead an adjective phrase "Second-rate".
Mutual synonyms
Both words in one sentence
- In Calvin and Hobbes, first-grader Susie Derkins fears that getting a bad grade on one research project (in first grade) will result in her having to go to a second-rate college.
Source: The B Grade - At one point, he willingly becomes a minion of the current Big Bad, pointing out that as a hero, he could only ever be second-rate, but he was a damned good villain.
Source: Redemption Demotion
Cite this Source
Second-rate and Bad. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/bad/second-rate
Bad & Second-rate. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/bad/second-rate>.
Second-rate or Bad. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/bad/second-rate.
