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median

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word median distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of median are average, mean, and norm. While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," 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

When would average be a good substitute for median?

The meanings of average and median largely overlap; however, 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 median?

The words mean and median can be used in similar contexts, but 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°

When might norm be a better fit than median?

In some situations, the words norm and median 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 median
Adjective
Meanwhile Oakland County first responders had to rescue a deer that made it to the median of Interstate 75 and then couldn't escape. Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 14 Oct. 2025 The future corridor will include a new median, median and curbside bus lanes, queue jumps at select intersections, new sidewalks, crosswalks and bike facilities. Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
Pending sales up 11%; median prices are $566,000 (Arapahoe) and $515,000 (Adams). Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025 According to Redfin, the median sale price of a home in Arlington was $700,000 last month. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for median
Recent Examples of Synonyms for median
Adjective
  • Seizeen Store Inflatable Hot Tub with Massage Jets This isn’t your average inflatable tub.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2025
  • In terms of precipitation, the seasonal temperature outlook predicts a 33%-40% likelihood of an above average amount of precipitation for the entire state during the winter months.
    Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Packers are a middle-of-the-pack passing defense (15th), but their run defense is elite (1st in the NFL), and the Panthers are going to need to throw the ball effectively on the road.
    Mike Kaye October 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Two enemy soldiers are tasked with the farcical mission of guarding a middle-of-nowhere border in the remote desert.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Otherwise, things should be mainly dry with temperatures close to seasonal normals.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
  • That’s become the new normal for this franchise.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Based on author Julia Quinn’s romance series of the same name, the fourth season marks the halfway point of the series overall as each season focuses on the eight Bridgerton siblings’ pursuit of love.
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The journey begins with mild goosebumps but will take a grisly turn at the halfway point, warns Liu.
    John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In 2016, he was forced to vacate the WWE World Heavyweight Championship after tearing his ACL, MCL, and medial meniscus, an injury that kept him out of action for seven months.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Anchoring the disparate variants of the LeBron 23 while serving as a containment system is a large panel shaped like James’ crown logo taking up the majority of the medial upper.
    Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Other challenges that could diminish Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness include the modest size of its workforce, a dearth of domestically raw materials and intermediate products, and high construction and electricity costs.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 20 Oct. 2025
  • His biggest struggles have come on short-to-intermediate routes.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Average surface water temperature is in the mid 70s, which is warm for this time of year.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Point Dume is also an impeccable whale-watching spot during the December to mid-April migration period.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Median.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/median. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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