1
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
tired of the city but not particularly interested in small-town life, he moved to a suburb of middling size
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decent
of average to below average quality
was disappointed in the renowned historian's latest book, which is only middling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 middling
Per those same metrics, Carolina has a middling run defense, though defensive tackle Derrick Brown will be a problem.
—
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
The original Rise and Fall ran on Channel 4 for a season, but was cancelled after middling ratings failed to live up to significant hype and a high production tariff.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025
After more than a decade of neglect and middling entries, Konami has now released two back-to-back Silent Hill bangers in less than a year's time.
—Vincent Acovino, NPR, 22 Sep. 2025
And, in between these high-profile gigs, there always appeared to be some diverting, though often middling, Sheen fare to amuse audiences.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for middling
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
The original Rise and Fall ran on Channel 4 for a season, but was cancelled after middling ratings failed to live up to significant hype and a high production tariff.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025
After more than a decade of neglect and middling entries, Konami has now released two back-to-back Silent Hill bangers in less than a year's time.
—Vincent Acovino, NPR, 22 Sep. 2025
And, in between these high-profile gigs, there always appeared to be some diverting, though often middling, Sheen fare to amuse audiences.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for middling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for middling
Adjective
-
The exchange calculated that California consumers on exchange plans would see an average premium increase of 97% if the credits are not extended.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The study then looked at nightlife, factoring in average beer and wine prices, movie costs, nightlife options, music festivals and access to bars and other factors.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Artists and songwriters could earn a decent living with an album that sold even modestly.—
Roy Trakin,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Fallah was productive on a decent Oregon State team, and Coleman was the leading scorer on a last-place Big East team.—
CJ Moore,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The median Chinese is 40 years old, only two years below France.—
Renaud Foucart,
Time,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Ng says that in California, the median earner would need a six-figure raise.—
Rhaina Cohen,
NPR,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The answer was not satisfactory to management, sources say.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Maine's Secretary of State Shenna Bellows told USA TODAY that since its initial request for the information in July, the department hasn't given her satisfactory answers about how the information would be used.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Whisk together milk, pudding mix, and vanilla in a medium bowl until smooth, about 2 minutes.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Small corporate landlords own three to nine properties; medium-size ones own 10 to 99; large owns 100 to 999 and mega corporations own more than 1,000.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Davis was the second-leading scorer on a mediocre Southern Illinois team.—
CJ Moore,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
There are slumps, patches of mediocre play, doldrums of various kinds.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This fungus, usually seen as an ordinary decomposer, shows a remarkable ability to grow into hydrogels, the materials that hold water and mimic the softness of human tissue.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Oct. 2025
-
An intimate portrait of love and exhaustion that finds the comic edge in ordinary chaos.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
When her car, her only lifeline, is stolen and impounded, Ogle is thrust into a relentless legal battle against an indifferent system.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The private remark reinforced a sense, even among conservatives, that the wealthy businessman was an out-of-touch elitist who was ready to write-off about half the country as indifferent to his economic agenda.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Middling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/middling. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share