1
: of middle, medium, or moderate size, degree, or quality
2
3
: of, relating to, or being a middle class
middling
adverb
1
: any of various commodities of intermediate size, quality, or position
2
middlings plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: a granular product of grain milling
especially
: a wheat milling by-product used in animal feeds
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Adjective
tired of the city but not particularly interested in small-town life, he moved to a suburb of middling size
was disappointed in the renowned historian's latest book, which is only middling
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Shapiro, Chron, 20 Apr. 2023
Toronto were a middling 46-42 when Montoyo was shown the door and then went 46-28 under John Schneider.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2022
With middling representation from major economies, according to a provisional speakers list, the likelihood of confrontations could be smaller, according to observers.
—Sara Schonhardt, Scientific American, 4 Nov. 2022
Yet, the history that could be made hasn’t saved the primary’s final days from being noticeably quieter, or from fears of middling turnout.
—Matt Stout, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2022
Tannehill, despite his middling rate of production, is quite efficient and manages the Tennessee offense well, especially in the red zone.
—USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2022
Abreu is a more middling defender than an impressive one, and on a more philosophical level, perhaps devoting major resources to a less premium position isn't the best course of action.
—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 30 Nov. 2022
This perceptive tragicomedy follows a middling Boston journalist who writes a highly critical profile of a popular self-help guru and soon finds himself at the center of the guru’s circuit.
—New York Times, 21 Sep. 2022
Their secondary took on even more injuries, blew coverages and made a middling quarterback look like Dan Marino.
—Jonas Shaffer, Baltimore Sun, 18 Sep. 2022
Vulture, 14 Nov. 2022
Sainristil and the defense will be tasked with stopping one of the best QB-receiver tandems in the country — TCU’s Max Duggan and Quentin Johnston — while Zinter and Mullings look to take advantage of the Horned Frogs’ middling defense.
—Amin Touri, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Dec. 2022
Perhaps even worse are the optics, Kingsbury's offense middling at best amid underachieving QB Kyler Murray's constant ranting at his coach and teammates during games.
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2022
The margin between contending and middling is razor-thin.
—Jonas Shaffer, Baltimore Sun, 20 Oct. 2022
Despite the Broncos middling season overall, Monday’s matchup should be entertaining.
—Ian Firstenberg, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2022
New presidents often get a middling ranking after one year, with the exception of Trump, who was ranked third from last in 2018 and held the same spot in this year’s survey, said Donald P. Levy, the institute’s director.
—Jim Puzzanghera, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Aug. 2022
Pinto, however, believes that higher borrowing costs will cause a middling rather than catastrophic drop in the ranks of purchasers.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 26 June 2022
The Steelers are averaging a meager 301.8 yards and 16.8 points per game through the first month of the season, pitiful numbers that place them well behind even Denver’s middling (353.8 YPG, 20.8 PPG) offensive attack.
—Alex Kay, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2021
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Adjective
The Astros have spent much of April mired in a bit of a nervous malaise, with an unproven roster and middling record.
—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 20 Apr. 2023
Toronto were a middling 46-42 when Montoyo was shown the door and then went 46-28 under John Schneider.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2022
With middling representation from major economies, according to a provisional speakers list, the likelihood of confrontations could be smaller, according to observers.
—Sara Schonhardt, Scientific American, 4 Nov. 2022
Yet, the history that could be made hasn’t saved the primary’s final days from being noticeably quieter, or from fears of middling turnout.
—Matt Stout, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2022
Tannehill, despite his middling rate of production, is quite efficient and manages the Tennessee offense well, especially in the red zone.
—USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2022
Abreu is a more middling defender than an impressive one, and on a more philosophical level, perhaps devoting major resources to a less premium position isn't the best course of action.
—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 30 Nov. 2022
This perceptive tragicomedy follows a middling Boston journalist who writes a highly critical profile of a popular self-help guru and soon finds himself at the center of the guru’s circuit.
—New York Times, 21 Sep. 2022
Their secondary took on even more injuries, blew coverages and made a middling quarterback look like Dan Marino.
—Jonas Shaffer, Baltimore Sun, 18 Sep. 2022
Noun
Wakanda Forever’s two-hour and 41-minute run time, its middling-to-positive reviews, and the absence of original star Chadwick Boseman, who imbued his titular role as Black Panther/King T’Challa with regal swagger and a stately decorum not commonly associated with comic-book movies.
—Vulture, 14 Nov. 2022
Sainristil and the defense will be tasked with stopping one of the best QB-receiver tandems in the country — TCU’s Max Duggan and Quentin Johnston — while Zinter and Mullings look to take advantage of the Horned Frogs’ middling defense.
—Amin Touri, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Dec. 2022
Perhaps even worse are the optics, Kingsbury's offense middling at best amid underachieving QB Kyler Murray's constant ranting at his coach and teammates during games.
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2022
The margin between contending and middling is razor-thin.
—Jonas Shaffer, Baltimore Sun, 20 Oct. 2022
Despite the Broncos middling season overall, Monday’s matchup should be entertaining.
—Ian Firstenberg, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2022
New presidents often get a middling ranking after one year, with the exception of Trump, who was ranked third from last in 2018 and held the same spot in this year’s survey, said Donald P. Levy, the institute’s director.
—Jim Puzzanghera, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Aug. 2022
Pinto, however, believes that higher borrowing costs will cause a middling rather than catastrophic drop in the ranks of purchasers.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 26 June 2022
The Steelers are averaging a meager 301.8 yards and 16.8 points per game through the first month of the season, pitiful numbers that place them well behind even Denver’s middling (353.8 YPG, 20.8 PPG) offensive attack.
—Alex Kay, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'middling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing middling
Dictionary Entries Near middling
Cite this Entry
“Middling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/middling. Accessed 4 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
middling
1 of 2 adjective
mid·dling
ˈmid-liŋ 
-lən
: of medium size, degree, or quality
middling
adverb
middling
2 of 2 noun1
: any of various products of medium quality or size
2
plural
: a product produced by milling grain
especially
: a product of wheat milling that is used in animal feeds
More from Merriam-Webster on middling
Nglish: Translation of middling for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about middling
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