second-rate

This term carries a strong negative connotation of mediocrity and disappointment. It suggests not just a lack of quality, but a failure to meet a known standard of excellence, often implying that the subject is a cheap or inferior imitation of something superior.

In professional or artistic contexts, it describes a level of competence that is sufficient to function but lacks the brilliance or prestige required for top-tier recognition. It is more dismissive than "average" and more critical than "poor," as it specifically positions the subject in a hierarchy of failure.