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Definition of normalnext
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normal

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noun

as in average
what is typical of a group, class, or series a temperature chart showing the normals and extremes for various regions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective normal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of normal are natural, regular, and typical. While all these words mean "being of the sort or kind that is expected as usual, ordinary, or average," normal implies lack of deviation from what has been discovered or established as the most usual or expected.

normal behavior for a two-year-old

In what contexts can natural take the place of normal?

The meanings of natural and normal largely overlap; however, natural applies to what conforms to a thing's essential nature, function, or mode of being.

the natural love of a mother for her child

When is regular a more appropriate choice than normal?

While in some cases nearly identical to normal, regular stresses conformity to a rule, standard, or pattern.

the club's regular monthly meeting

When might typical be a better fit than normal?

The words typical and normal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, typical implies showing all important traits of a type, class, or group and may suggest lack of strong individuality.

a typical small town

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 normal
Adjective
For years, there wasn’t much anyone could do about it outside of normal lifestyle changes. Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026 Kurt's key takeaways The unsettling part of this FBI warning is how normal the attack looks. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
Noun
This has become the new normal for middle-income families, and even higher-income Americans are starting to fall behind on their bills. Dr. Erika Rasure, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2026 With snowfall 60% below normal for the season through February in its home state of Colorado and low in neighboring Utah, Vail has seen skiers and snowboarders stay away in droves. Phil Wahba, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for normal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for normal
Adjective
  • The company’s founders say the idea came from watching ordinary people struggle to access opportunities that increasingly depended on technical knowledge.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 15 June 2026
  • Late Thursday, the plaintiffs filed a motion asking the court to order the Pentagon to resume its ordinary review process for new wind energy projects.
    Jennifer McDermott, Fortune, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • One of the individuals was listed in temporary serious condition on Sunday, while the other was in stable condition.
    Nick Lentz, CBS News, 15 June 2026
  • At a time when fossil fuel markets are driving price volatility and burdening families with higher utility bills, wind energy offers a stable, domestic source of power that is not subject to the unpredictable swings of gas prices.
    Julianna Larue, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2026
Adjective
  • Activities include vacation standards like pools and a beach club along with less typical offerings like horseback riding on the beach, beach shelling by golf cart, and the resort’s Hawk Walk.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 16 June 2026
  • Reporters from England said this is a typical setup for the press covering the England men’s national team.
    Pete Grathoff June 14, Kansas City Star, 15 June 2026
Noun
  • The latest outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration favors above-average temperatures and above-average precipitation across Colorado during June, July and August.
    Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 12 June 2026
  • At their largest, marine heat waves like the Northeast Pacific Warm Blob of 2013-2014 can grow to gargantuan proportions, with regions three times the size of Texas experiencing ocean temperatures 4 to 6 F (about 2 to 3 C) above average for months or even years.
    Dillon Amaya, The Conversation, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • Cynthia goes down the list of people Shamea is clashing with and, as usual, all roads lead to Porsha.
    Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 15 June 2026
  • The scramble as the deadline approached was more intense than usual this year because of the state’s new congressional districts, which upended the careers of incumbents and opened opportunities for a slew of other hopefuls.
    Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2026
Adjective
  • Broken down into five lucid chapters, the letter argues against a robotic future, and for a socially just one.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
  • After the disturbing death of Reverend Bryce at the end of last week’s episode of Widow’s Bay, Tom, Wyck, and Patricia search his office for clues that might explain why this seemingly lucid man of the cloth suddenly hung himself.
    Jen Chaney, Vulture, 20 May 2026
Adjective
  • Over the last few years, the world of emissions standard setting has become increasingly contentious, so much so that even a few words can trigger a fight about whether companies are getting off the hook or being held to account.
    Justin Worland, Time, 12 June 2026
  • For energy and recovery, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and hsCRP often reveal issues years before standard labs.
    Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Similarly, Norbert Elias, described civilization as the long-term development of norms, behavioral rules, and institutional constraints that regulate conduct.
    Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
  • Disruption has quickly become the new norm, with macro-scale events happening consecutively and concurrently rather than sporadically, requiring heightened risk management.
    SJ Studio, Footwear News, 12 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Normal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/normal. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

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