less than admirable

USAGE SUMMARY

"less than admirable" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that has qualities or traits that are not particularly good. For example, "The CEO's decision to back out of the merger at the last minute was less than admirable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Many characters which he played to popular acclaim were less than admirable.

The Guardian - Film

They all went into a modality that was less than admirable".

The New York Times - Arts

The debater's trick had humiliated Shangle and raised considerable conviction that the defense was less than admirable in its tactics.

Princeton University

In Egypt, a similar majoritarianism continues to fail abysmally, as the Muslim Brotherhood's competence in governance is less than admirable.

The Guardian - Opinion

And if it is a less than admirable Picasso or Monet, you may be unaware that the suggested price is too high.

The New York Times - Arts

Yes, of course, there were elements in Chechnya who were less than admirable — that did not alter one's duty to rescue them from Putinism.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Artists with messy, ugly lives and less-than-admirable personalities are not as paradoxical as we sometimes think.

The New York Times

(All the less-than-admirable tactics cited in this article were recorded in published judicial opinions). You may find that these possible costs outweigh the likely gains.

Harvard Business Review

Olivier, who also starred in the stage version, received an Academy Award nomination for his performance, which some critics said reflected the less-than-admirable aspects of his own personality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Part of the problem is that the end of the Hawaiian monarchy and the island nation's annexation by the United States, a complex and sometimes squalid story with less-than-admirable behavior on all sides, doesn't lend itself to the sort of inspirational tearjerker Mr. Forby has created.

The New York Times

His work as less-than-admirable characters, of course, benefited precisely because of his down-home image.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less than admirable" when you want to express a nuanced criticism that acknowledges some positive aspects while highlighting significant shortcomings. This approach is particularly effective in providing constructive feedback or evaluating complex situations.

Common error

While "less than admirable" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone seem passive or indirect. Consider more direct and specific language to express your concerns, especially when addressing serious issues. For example, instead of stating 'The company's environmental record is less than admirable', try 'The company's environmental record demonstrates significant non-compliance with regulations'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than admirable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a deficiency in its quality or character. It's used to express a mild form of disapproval or criticism, as supported by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Arts

11%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less than admirable" is a commonly used adjective phrase to express mild disapproval or criticism. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides many examples of its use in News & Media, Arts, and Academia. To make your writing more clear you may also want to consider a few other options such as "not particularly impressive" or "somewhat disappointing". It's important to avoid overusing this phrase in formal writing; direct and specific language is preferable in many contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not particularly impressive

Replaces "admirable" with "impressive", softening the criticism slightly.

not entirely praiseworthy

Uses a more formal tone and emphasizes a lack of deserving praise.

somewhat disappointing

Shifts the focus to the feeling of disappointment rather than a lack of admirable qualities.

leaves something to be desired

Suggests that there is room for improvement or that something is lacking.

falls short of expectations

Highlights a failure to meet a certain standard or anticipated level of quality.

not up to par

An idiomatic expression indicating that something does not meet the required standard.

deficient in quality

Emphasizes a lack of essential or desirable attributes.

suboptimal

A more technical term suggesting that something is not the best possible outcome.

of dubious merit

Implies that the value or worth of something is questionable or uncertain.

rather uninspired

Suggests a lack of creativity or enthusiasm.

FAQs

How can I use "less than admirable" in a sentence?

You can use "less than admirable" to describe something or someone whose qualities or actions are not particularly good. For instance, "His handling of the situation was "less than admirable"".

What are some synonyms for "less than admirable"?

Alternatives to "less than admirable" include phrases like "not particularly impressive", "somewhat disappointing", or "not entirely praiseworthy", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "less than admirable" or a more direct criticism?

The choice depends on the context. "Less than admirable" is useful for gentle criticism or when you want to avoid being too harsh. For stronger criticism, a more direct statement might be more appropriate.

What does it mean when something is described as "less than admirable"?

When something is described as "less than admirable", it means it has traits or qualities that are not particularly good or worthy of praise. It suggests a deficiency or a failure to meet expectations.