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average

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noun

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

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verb

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
Nationally averaged, this comes in at 10 to 18 percent increases for residential, commercial, and industrial consumers. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025 While the medical school accreditation organization recommends that curriculums devote at least 25 hours of instruction to nutrition, most schools average about 20 hours, in some cases only as electives. Alice Park, Time, 21 July 2025
Noun
Japanese imports are in third place, with an average increase of $1,226. Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2025 Urban Roots has an average Yelp rating of 4.2 stars. Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado july 20, Sacbee.com, 20 July 2025
Verb
The report found the program spent an average of $80,285 per student per year, but that if the cost were calculated based only on students who ultimately graduate from the program — a smaller number — the per-pupil cost was more than twice as high. Janhavi Munde, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2025 The stark shift comes as the companies require workers in the office an average of 3.8 days a week compared to 2.6 days in 2023, per the report. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for average
Recent Examples of Synonyms for average
Adjective
  • The median overtime pay for those rangers was $567.
    Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
  • Analysts' price targets for the stock range from $4 to $9, according to MarketWatch, with a median target of $8.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • By morning, service on the subway had resumed on a normal schedule.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
  • Newsweek has contacted the White House press office for comment outside of normal business hours.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • The size of a typical studio apartment is 500 to 600 square feet.
    Kate Talerico, Mercury News, 14 July 2025
  • Among the amenities typical of a hotel, the lodge complex included a saloon, a deli, a coffee shop, a post office, a gift shop, and a visitors center.
    Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • These behavioral norms become the immune system of your culture.
    Brendan Keegan, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2025
  • The new norm of office fashion is all about balance.
    Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • The homicide figures do not include killings that occurred in self-defense or in other circumstances not measured in Chicago police statistics.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • The back-to-back northern lights that are expected have a forecast of three on the Kp index, which measures the intensity of the auroras on a scale that ranges from zero to nine.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Multiple tee boxes were also in place to equalize the playing field among the eight impairment categories.
    Candace Oehler, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Just like the pre-Civil War slaveholders who rejected the idea of a multiracial democracy, today’s extremists want to roll back hard-won equalizing protections that made America great.
    Jared Nordlund, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • Our party wants to give ordinary workers a raise by raising the living wage.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
  • As a result, many affordable properties turn out to be comparatively ordinary in appearance and amenities.
    Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
Adjective
  • Some vehicles come standard with anti-theft systems and tech like engine immobilizers.
    Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 14 July 2025
  • Sides of hand-cut fries ($3) were fairly standard, and onion rings ($5) were thick and addictively crunchy.
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Average.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/average. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

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