Definitions

make the grade

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arrive v.
can v.
cope v.
fulfill v.
hack it v.
handle v.
pass muster v.
please v.
qualify v.
satisfy v.
satisfy v.
score v.
suffice v.
suit v.

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.

See Examples For:

make the grade

Even this throughway soon couldn’t handle the traffic between Southern and Central California, and the incline was so dangerous that mule teams had to be summoned to rescue underpowered cars that couldn’t make the grade.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026

He had hoped to continue his straight-A streak in Higher Maths and go on to study electrical engineering or law but is now worried he might not make the grade.

From BBC ● May 11, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 26, 2026

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

They planned to collaborate on some material, and write on their own as well, intending to make the grade both ways.

From Suite Mentale by Ed Emshwiller

make the grade

Example Sentences

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