average 1 of 3

1
2
3

average

2 of 3

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

3 of 3

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
As a result of that warming trend, high temperatures could trend 10 to 15 degrees above average over the weekend in the San Joaquin Valley, the National Weather Service’s Hanford office said via Twitter on Thursday. Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2025 The subsidy is available to families making under 85% of the state median income, and covers on average $300 of their weekly child care costs. Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 9 May 2025
Noun
After Orlando held them to 31 threes per game in Round 1 — well below their league-leading regular-season average — the Celtics have unraveled from deep in Round 2. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 May 2025 Production in Los Angeles is still down nearly 40% over five year averages. Katie Campione, Deadline, 7 May 2025
Verb
In 1980, public college tuition averaged about $1,000/year, roughly $3,500 to $4,000 in today's dollars. Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025 Seven players had multiple hits Thursday, and the Royals are averaging 5.3 runs over their last eight games. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for average
Recent Examples of Synonyms for average
Adjective
  • As the Times notes, median lunch prices are only around $3.
    Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 May 2025
  • The Italian lender reported net profit of 2.77 billion euros ($3.11 billion), against the median analyst forecast of 2.34 billion euros, according to LSEG data.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • His average driving distance has been in his normal range, 324.8 yards for the first two rounds.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
  • Republished on May 17 with additional advice and resources on defending against these dangerous messages, where normal detection is impossible.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • Social Security payments are set to go out May 14 – a few days later than is typical.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Dawson's Creek was also known for covering heavy issues like mental health, death and homophobia among typical teenage fare like prom dates, new friends and first love.
    Benjamin VanHoose, People.com, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Turns out there are serious considerations involved, touching upon numerous societal and cultural norms, business and economic facets, mindfulness factors, and the like.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • Here are some ways this conclave is different: The highest number of cardinal electors in any conclave Pope Paul VI set a rule in 1975 limiting the number of cardinal electors to 120, a norm that wasn’t strictly adhered to in the College of Cardinals meetings known as consistories.
    Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 6 May 2025
Verb
  • The fastest way to measure your weight is through your body mass index (BMI).
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 15 May 2025
  • During the first decades of our century, Peru maintained a moderately free economy, as measured by the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom.
    Alejandro Antonio Chafuen, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Then in a controversial moment a few minutes later, Pele assisted on Chinaglia’s equalizing goal.
    Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 10 May 2025
  • Will these deals focus on equalizing tariff rates – a process that many, if not most, of the affected countries seem ready to undertake? Or will new, zero-sum U.S. trade rules apply?
    Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Tossing in a load of wash at home sounds ordinary and harmless.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025
  • Things get better and worse and better, happier and sadder and so on, as the couple travels through eight episodes of mostly ordinary drama — jealousy and insecurity, mopiness and mooniness, desolation and elation, miscommunication and reconciliation — on the way to maturity.
    Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Rivian's current least powerful battery pack provides 270 miles of driving range, but the standard R2 could have less range as a smaller model.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • The bill also includes a temporary $2,000 boost to the standard deduction, bringing it to $32,000 for joint filers.
    Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Average.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/average. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on average

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!