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Definitions

make the grade

VERB
arrive
Synonyms
STRONG
accomplish flourish prosper score succeed thrive
WEAK
become famous make good make it reach the top
Antonyms
STRONG
fail languish lose
WEAK
depart disappear go leave
VERB
can
Synonyms
STRONGEST
commit manage take care of
STRONG
may
WEAK
be capable of be equal to be up to be within one's area be within one's control can do cut the mustard have it made lie in one's power make it make out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cannot
VERB
cope
Synonyms
STRONGEST
confront endure get by grapple handle suffer survive wrestle
STRONG
buffet deal dispatch encounter face hack struggle tangle tussle weather
WEAK
battle with carry on get a handle on hack it hold one's own live with make go of it make it make out pit oneself against rise to occasion struggle through
Antonyms
STRONG
hold keep refuse retreat surrender yield
VERB
fulfill
Synonyms
STRONG
accomplish achieve answer conclude conform discharge do effect effectuate execute fill finish implement keep meet obey observe perfect perform please realize render satisfy score suffice suit
WEAK
be just the ticket carry out comply with fill the bill hit the bull's-eye make it
Antonyms
STRONG
abandon bear begin cancel commence destroy fail give up halt lose miss neglect overlook refuse start
VERB
hack it
Synonyms
WEAK
accomplish avail be successful bring home the bacon carry off come out on top come through cut it cut the mustard deliver the goods get to the top hit the mark make a go of it make it make the cut prevail pull it off score win
VERB
handle
Synonyms
STRONGEST
administer conduct control deal with discuss employ exercise govern operate play serve supervise take treat use utilize work
STRONG
advise apply bestow command direct dispense dominate exploit guide maneuver manipulate ply steer swing wield
WEAK
behave toward call the signals cope with cut the mustard get a handle on hack it make out run things
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignore neglect
STRONG
leave alone misguide mislead
WEAK
disregard mismanage misuse
VERB
pass muster
Synonyms
WEAK
come through with flying colors come up to scratch come up to snuff cut the mustard do credit to fill the bill find favor with get by make it make the cut measure up meet with approval pass pass inspection prove acceptable recommend itself satisfy requirements stand the test stand up suffice
VERB
please
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amuse charm cheer entertain gratify satisfy tickle wow
STRONG
content enchant gladden grab humor indulge kill overjoy score suit titillate
WEAK
fill the bill go over big hit the spot sweep off feet tickle pink turn on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
anger annoy bore disappoint dissuade frustrate offend tire upset
STRONG
disenchant displease repulse
WEAK
be unwilling deny depress disturb refuse worry
VERB
qualify
Synonyms
STRONGEST
certify enable entitle meet pass ready score train
STRONG
authorize capacitate commission condition empower endow equip fit ground permit sanction suffice suit
WEAK
check out come up to snuff cut it earn one's wings fill the bill get by hack it make it make the cut measure up pass muster
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deny fail lose
STRONG
disallow dissatisfy refuse reject
WEAK
allow be lenient be unprepared disqualify
VERB
satisfy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accomplish appease assuage assure comply with convince do meet provide reassure
STRONG
avail complete equip fill fulfill furnish induce inveigle observe perform qualify quiet score sell serve suffice
WEAK
be adequate be enough be sufficient come up to conform to dispel doubt get by keep promise make good pass muster put mind at ease serve the purpose tide over win over
Antonyms
STRONGEST
fail miss
STRONG
forget halt ignore neglect prevent stop take
WEAK
anger disappoint discontent dissatisfy dissuade frustrate upset
VERB
satisfy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amuse appease assuage delight elate entertain fascinate flatter gratify mollify placate
STRONG
animate befriend captivate capture cheer cloy comfort conciliate enliven enthrall exhilarate fill gladden glut gorge humor indulge pacify propitiate quench rejoice sate satiate score sell slake suit surfeit
WEAK
brighten up do the trick fill the bill get by hit the spot make merry sell on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agitate annoy bore depress disappoint incite offend pain provoke tire trouble upset worry
STRONG
abstain deplete deprive diet discourage dissatisfy distress dull exhaust fast hurt irritate lose moderate
WEAK
anger discontent dissuade fail frustrate
VERB
score
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accomplish connect gain get notch pull off rack up reach win
STRONG
amass arrive attain flourish impress procure prosper realize secure thrive triumph
WEAK
chalk up gain advantage hit pay dirt luck out make a killing make an impression put over take the cake
Antonyms
STRONGEST
depart fail forfeit leave lose miss pass
STRONG
give up languish neglect
WEAK
mend smooth
VERB
suffice
Synonyms
STRONGEST
get by satisfy
STRONG
answer avail content do meet serve suit
WEAK
be good enough be sufficient be the ticket do the trick fill the bill go over big hack it hit the spot make a hit meet requirement
Antonyms
STRONG
displease miss refuse
WEAK
dissatisfy
VERB
suit
Synonyms
STRONGEST
become befit conform correspond enhance fit flatter go with gratify please satisfy serve
STRONG
accord agree answer benefit beseem check do fulfill go harmonize match square suffice tally
WEAK
answer a need be proper for be seemly check out cut the mustard fill the bill fit in get by go together pass muster
Antonyms
STRONGEST
anger annoy differ disappoint disturb frustrate mismatch offend refuse upset
STRONG
disagree fail miss neglect oppose question
WEAK
displease dissatisfy reject

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Coltin Stidham wanted to be a pilot, but his eyesight didn’t make the grade.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

But the band’s early attempts to make the grade had fallen flat on its face.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 23, 2025

Anyone wanting to join the army has to pass a tough medical – people with heart problems, back problems, hearing or vision problems, among other things, will struggle to make the grade.

From BBC • Sep. 22, 2024

Organizers say it is a waste-free event, since they purchase oranges that don’t make the grade and would otherwise be tossed out.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 14, 2024

Now only, you cannot make the grade, poor child.

From Edgar Saltus: The Man by Saltus, Marie