made the grade

phrase

past tense of make the grade
as in succeeded
to reach a desired level of accomplishment There were many applicants for the position, but only a few made the grade for an interview.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 made the grade But two songs that don’t fit either of those criteria made the grade. — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026 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 made the grade
  1. made it
  2. got there
  3. made good
  4. got ahead
Phrase
  • To date, no Chinese player has made it to the NBA through the college basketball route – but the NCAA is not solely a pathway to an NBA career.
    — Fred He, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
  • But as Jensen made it into the dugout, the umpires convened and reversed the decision.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of made it
Phrase
  • New York got there first, in July 2023, and the result is instructive.
    — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • By the time police got there, Ortegon-Couoh appeared to have been run over by a train, investigators said in court records.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 31 July 2026
Definition of got there
Phrase
  • Persuading oil companies Venezuela has made good progress ramping up its oil production since the US government captured Maduro.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The whole town was a monument to the hometown girl made good.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of made good
Phrase
  • Henriquez replaced Sasaki and got ahead of Drake Baldwin, 1-and-2.
    — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The Seattle right-hander got ahead in the count 1-2, but Happ kept his hands tucked on a down-and-in splitter to blast it off the right-field foul pole for his 22nd home run of the season.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of got ahead

Browse Nearby Words

made sport of
made the grade
made-to-measure
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Made the grade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/made%20the%20grade. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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