AVERAGE Synonyms: 203 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'average' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of average are mean , median , and norm . While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures. // scored an average of 85 on tests

Q: When can 'mean' be used instead of 'average'?

The words mean and average are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes. // a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°

Q: In what contexts can 'median' take the place of 'average'?

While the synonyms median and average are close in meaning, median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below. // average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars

Q: Where would 'norm' be a reasonable alternative to 'average'?

In some situations, the words norm and average are roughly equivalent. However, norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade. // scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

average 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of average

as in median

being about midway between extremes of amount or size since a Chihuahua seems as impractical as a Saint Bernard, let's get a dog of more average dimensions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in normal

being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events just an average day at the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in typical

having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind the company's marketing people want to interview average teenagers to see what kinds of clothes appeal to them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

average

2 of 3

noun

ˈa-v(ə-)rij

as in norm

what is typical of a group, class, or series my cat's a cut above the average when it comes to being a finicky eater

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

average

3 of 3

verb

as in to measure

Related Words

as in to equalize

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word average distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of average are mean, median, and norm. While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures.

scored an average of 85 on tests

When can mean be used instead of average?

The words mean and average are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes.

a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°

In what contexts can median take the place of average?

While the synonyms median and average are close in meaning, median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below.

average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars

Where would norm be a reasonable alternative to average?

In some situations, the words norm and average are roughly equivalent. However, norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade.

scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

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 average

Adjective

For vehicles in particular, rates can spike 25% to 40% higher than the average cost in Michigan, which can increase the cost of moving goods and maintaining retail inventory. — Stephanie Leiser, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026 The downsides of fireworks—trash, smoke, wildfire, dog trauma—are something that the average spectator pushes out of mind. — Paige Williams, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

Noun

According to the settlement website, current and former students who attended Brown, University of Chicago, Columbia, Dartmouth, Duke, Emory, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Rice, and Yale will receive payments of an average of $2,000 apiece. — Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 The major Wall Street averages rose Tuesday, supported by chipmakers like Micron , Marvell Technology, Astera Labs , and Club name Intel . — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 21 July 2026

Verb

His 14 home runs have averaged 418 feet in length, which is tied for the best average in the majors this season. — ABC News, 8 July 2026 While the company has received some low scores on the customer review site, Trustpilot, its BBB scores average higher. — Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for average

Recent Examples of Synonyms for average

Adjective

Single mothers often operate like CEOs of high-stakes enterprises, managing income, risk, and capital with no margin for error due to structural disadvantages like lower median income and exorbitant childcare costs.

— Kristin Vance Richards, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
The median household income is $20,000 below the national median, and thousands of jobs have been cut as mining operations close.

— Elijah TanAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026

Definition of median

Adjective

This figure has already exceeded the European Commission's estimate for annual wildfire losses across the entire European Union in a normal year.

— , CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
Since military prototypes often undergo multiple design revisions, such modifications are considered a normal part of the aircraft development process.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of normal

Adjective

That 1982 campaign was typical of the misfortune that plagued Keegan’s international career.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Cases of cyclosporiasis are known to rise during spring and summer months in the US, with a typical season running from the start of May through the end of August, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of typical

Noun

The world faces unprecedented chaos, from Middle East conflict and a new nuclear arms race to AI weapons and economic disruptions, exacerbated by a decline in respect for international norms.

— William Hartung, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
The fact that opposing hitters’ pull-air percentage — the most likely batted balls to result in home runs — against Kremer is up 12 percent over his career norm this year also strikes me as more small-sample noise.

— Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of norm

Verb

If the answer swings on how the question was phrased, the model is not measuring anything about the match.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
In its simplest form, scientists can put a chunk of soil in a mason jar, measure how much gas is released over time, then extrapolate a total figure.

— Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Definition of measure

Verb

Endrick and Alexis Ciria scored for Madrid, who led 2-0 before Fiorentina equalized through Roberto Piccoli and Moise Kean.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
The Current wasn’t long in equalizing, as Haley Hopkins tapped in a super cross from Izzy Rodriguez in the 26th minute.

— The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of equalize

Adjective

The microreactor breaks down into standard shipping modules that travel by road and assemble directly on site.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 2026
Its integrated unibody clip attaches to laptops, monitors or standard tripods and it can be used in landscape, portrait and even upside-down orientations.

— Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of standard

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“Average.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/average. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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