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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
These average around $44 on the open market nowadays, not a huge price tag after 31 years, but not too shabby for a single very used card. Curtis Silver, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025 Before the past 18 games, the 7-8-9 spots were hitting .206 with a .269 OBP and averaging a little better than an RBI a game. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
On average, the United States reported 13.9 gun deaths per 100,000 people in 2023, according to the center. Kate Linderman, Idaho Statesman, 14 Aug. 2025 The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation reported that average home premiums declined by 0.7 percent statewide in the fourth quarter of 2024, the first drop in nearly a decade. Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
According to the committee’s report, the accident rate for the 1.02-mile stretch from La Orilla to Linea del Cielo is higher than the state average for similar suburban two-lane roadways with speeds less than 45 mph. Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025 Nationally, fares covered an average of roughly 34% of most transit systems’ costs pre-pandemic. Micky Horstman, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for average
Recent Examples of Synonyms for average
Adjective
  • The manufacturers that produce these gases typically are located in communities where the people are Black, Latino or Native American and earn less money than the state median income.
    Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2025
  • The median age of first-time homeowners is now 38 years old, an all-time high, according to a 2024 report by the National Association of Realtors.
    Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • As climate extremes become the new normal and other demand pressures rise, modernizing grid components with U.S.-made technology is essential.
    Shaun Walsh, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • In normal times, the first Friday of the month brings a routine tranche of government data known as the monthly jobs report.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The company has a high cash burn rate and a very small revenue base, which is typical for a business in a nascent industry.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • This was well below the typical 0.91 of an inch average for the month.
    Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Edgewater’s new coach Patrick Browning showed the multiple offensive sets the Eagles will be using this season, which included line-of-scrimmage shifts similar to those Rick Darlington has made his norm in his single-win offense now at DeLand and in the past at Apopka.
    Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
  • The societal norms imposed on women in the early 20th century manifest in Matilde’s worries about what those around them might think about Frida’s unconventional behavior and professional aspirations.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Thermal batteries tend to have very long lifespans—measured in decades rather than years.
    Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Growth is no longer measured by financial factors alone.
    Time, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In stoppage time, veteran winger Ángel Di María converted a penalty after a Chelsea handball in the box, equalizing the match at 1-1 and shocking the crowd.
    Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2025
  • The reigning Euro champs took down Sweden in PKs in the quarterfinals after trailing 2-0 for 75-plus minutes before equalizing with goals in the 79th and 81st.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 July 2025
Adjective
  • Max Klymenko has had anything but an ordinary career path, and now the 30-year-old is guessing what other people do for a living, all while standing on a ladder.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Ultimately, through saving each other, Seong-A and Gyeon-U reclaim their humanity and return to an ordinary life of youth.
    Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The service will offer live Spanish soccer on Saturday nights as part of standard subscriptions, featuring clubs like Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Determining the fate of the equity held by McKenna, who died in 2023, was not a standard NFL stake sale.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Average.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/average. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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