MIDDLING Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

middling

adjective

ˈmid-liŋ

Definition of middling

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

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 His arrival transformed a middling club into a financial powerhouse, boosting ticket sales, creating new business opportunities such as lucrative global tours and supercharging its sponsorship portfolio. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 22 July 2026 There’s also a massive best seller (Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko), a cult classic that got adapted into an Oscar-winning movie (Percival Everett’s Erasure), and a middling historical novel (Julian Barnes’s The Noise of Time)—none of which has been banned. — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026 Despite a compelling final act, the overall experience is deemed middling, failing to fully immerse players in its historical narrative. — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 The problem is Will Ferrell as Lonnie Hawkins, an utter miscalculation of characterization and performance chiefly responsible for turning what could be middling comedy into an unbearable slog. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for middling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for middling

Adjective

This squad broke records for fielding the oldest average team in their Premier League era last season.

— Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
The average woman with a college degree now has her first child after age 35, a shift from decades ago, when many had children in their 20s.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of average

Adjective

The perfect size for a daypack, this backpack is large enough to fit a decent amount, such as a book, large headphones, a sweater, snacks and a water bottle, alongside your basic essentials like your wallet, phone and keys.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
No such problems with following the play existed at Tranmere, where, even in the 1980s, their long-term home afforded a decent view from behind both goals.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of decent

Adjective

Grafton Correctional Institution houses just over 2,000 inmates for minimum and medium security levels and has been in operation since 1988, according to the facility.

— Jon Haworth, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
After distillation, the tequila was aged for a minimum of three years in new American oak barrels with medium and high char levels, as well as in French oak casks that were previously used to age Amarone wine, a dry red wine from Italy.

— Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of medium

Adjective

By contrast, state inspection records from 2025 and the first weeks of 2026, just days after Calvo took office in January, show the city’s pool facilities were consistently rated satisfactory.

— Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026
For someone who is dogmatic, or has a strong commitment to evangelism, this may not be satisfactory.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of satisfactory

Adjective

Kurt's key takeaways What caught my attention here is how ordinary the problem is.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
For a growing number of Charlotte-area homeowners, the path to foreclosure can start with something as ordinary as a missed paycheck, a medical setback or a rising monthly bill.

— Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of ordinary

Adjective

Nonetheless, memes like those received serious reactions from social commentators and political pundits who interpreted them as evidence that America’s young adults are nihilistic and morally indifferent.

— Evan Clarkson, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026
Throughout edge tracking, that compass stayed locked to the wind, indifferent to whether the fly was in odor or out.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026