MAKE THE GRADE Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

make the grade

phrase

Definition of make the grade

as in make it

to reach a desired level of accomplishment There were many applicants for the position, but only a few made the grade for an interview.

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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 make the grade McDonald’s The burger chain also made the grade, even as the stock has seen better days. — Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 7 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for make the grade

Phrase

Should any rotation member sustain an injury, the Phillies’ playoff chances — both to make it to October and succeed there — would take a serious hit.

— Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
The 4-mile drive from Zipline's center takes 30 minutes; the drone makes it in four, dropping its cargo by paper parachute.

— Fatma Tanis, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of make it

Phrase

They are built to win in October but might not get there if Dombrowski doesn’t deal for a back-end starter (or two), another reliever and a right-handed hitting outfielder.

— Jim Bowden, New York Times, 30 July 2026
But getting there would first mean crossing Blair Mountain in neighboring Logan county, whose sheriff, Don Chafin, had vowed to block any union advance into his county.

— Elijah TanAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026

Definition of get there

Phrase

Now’s the time to get ahead of the seasonal shift with transitional bedding, and Quince has a lineup of layerable quilt sets that make revamping my linens easy.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026
All that guessing will create herding and noise trading as the crowd chases the crowd like a dog chases its tail, in a futile attempt to get ahead of the next unpredictable change in what humors the Big Player.

— Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of get ahead

Phrase

All of the rentals below make good use of this accessibility, with many just a few minutes from the destination’s iconic surf.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 31 July 2026
Sotelo said two helicopters with the ability to drop water at night had been requested late in the afternoon then later canceled because crews were making good progress.

— Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2026

Definition of make good

Browse Nearby Words

makes way

make the grade

make tracks

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“Make the grade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make%20the%20grade. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of make the grade

phrase

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