Synonyms of benchmark

benchmark

noun

ˈbench-ˌmärk 

as in standard

something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared

this prize-winning biography will be the benchmark against which all others will be judged in future years

Synonyms & Similar Words

• standard
• criterion
• measure
• metric
• yardstick
• example
• touchstone
• barometer
• gold standard
• par
• grade
• rule
• instance
• bar
• mark
• norm
• average
• case
• pinnacle
• peak
• summit
• apex
• meridian
• zenith
• acme

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deviation
• abnormality
• aberration

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of benchmark

The meltdown of stocks also extended to Hong Kong, where the benchmark Hang Seng index has plummeted more than 12% this year. — John Liu, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026

Those are judgments about character instead of being evaluation benchmarks. — Aditi Sinha, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026

The 10-year Treasury yield, a key long-term borrowing rate, hit its highest level in nearly two decades in September, just days after the Federal Reserve hiked benchmark borrowing costs. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026

They should not be interpreted as fitness goals or medical benchmarks. — Kristen Gasnick, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2026