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

Those lyrics ring especially poignant in the intersecting contexts of Black pop stars historically having to be larger-than-life and a modern market that primarily trades on how much the average white listener 1) can relate to you and 2) likes you. — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026 The number of shoppers interested in new and used EVs spiked when gas prices rose 40 percent this year as a result of the war in Iran — but mostly in models priced lower than the average $50,000 cost of a new vehicle today. — John Voelcker, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026

Noun

But from January to June of this year, the monthly average was around 2,500. — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 Tuesday marked the 165th day this year with the national average at or above $4 a gallon, according to a CNN review of AAA data. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Verb

If the act is a cruel and unjust law, stealing from working Americans in order to feed the insatiable greed of the billionaire class, what can can average Americans do about it? — Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026 Enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits expired at the end of 2025, and average monthly payments among marketplace customers increased 58%, from $113 to $178. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for average

Recent Examples of Synonyms for average

Adjective

Data the alliance included in the prospectus said homes in the 76112, 76103 and 76120 ZIP codes sell for around $250,000, about $80,000 below the median home sales price for Fort Worth, according to figures from Redfin.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
Prices start at $35 for Comme Si socks and go up to $11,000 for a wavy gray shearling Marni coat; median prices sit around $895.

— Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of median

Adjective

With stimulus checks gone and student loan payments back, Maggiulli suggests the drop may partly be a return to normal.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
In both cases, people with pre-existing hypertension experienced bigger drops in systolic and diastolic pressure than those with normal blood pressure.

— MD Published, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of normal

Adjective

Minutes from the April 19 meeting outlined how the government opted for just one round of readiness checks before launching its emergency vaccination program due to time constraints, instead of the typical four rounds.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Such moves are typical of presidential hopefuls from both parties seeking to bolster their alliances nationwide.

— Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of typical

Noun

The show sought to expand norms of representation—a project whose sincerity all but courts the cringeworthy—with artists hell-bent on deconstructing the drive for beauty, including Orlan, Sara Cwynar, Juno Calypso, and Haley Morris-Cafiero.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Much of his work deconstructs conventional representations of gender, love, social norms in mainstream cinema.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of norm

Verb

Engagement is often seen as a metric about sentiment that can be measured and tracked, but is treated as something employees bring—or fail to bring—to their jobs.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Testing sensors on canisters During the INL demonstration, researchers installed optical fibers outside a mock nuclear fuel canister and tested several arrangements to measure acoustic vibrations.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of measure

Verb

However, Saba Goglichidze pulled one back for Monza right at the start of the second half and the visitors had several chances to equalize before Andrea Pinamonti sealed the match late on.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
That lead would not last long, as Kansas City equalized in the 39th minute.

— Spencer Baldwin, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of equalize

Adjective

That could create an unusual situation in which an ordinary consumer turns on a feature built into a mainstream device and, at least technically, runs afoul of state law by using it during a private conversation without everyone's consent.

— MacKenzie Sigalos,Annie Palmer, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026
Spanish scientists have developed an experimental type of self-disinfecting cotton fabric, which is activated via ordinary white light.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of ordinary

Adjective

But a few months later, at her 18-month appointment, the standard graph that plotted a child’s weight against their age showed her weight slipping off the curve.

— Raj Panjabi, Time, 13 Oct. 2026
For those traveling in standard class with Comfort tickets, there’s a Starbucks, Shot Neighbourhood Coffee, WHSmith and soon-to-open McDonald's, along with a vending machine selling affordable hot meals.

— Sophia Dyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of standard

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average

averaged

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“Average.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/average. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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