1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of middling
However, when zooming out, the revisions to a middling January and a horrendous February, job creation was 7,000 positions lower than previously thought.
—
Zev Fima, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
The first two Harry Potter films, based on the JK Rowling novels that became a global sensation, were massive events and box office successes but earned middling reviews from critics.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 16 Apr. 2026
Porzingis should thrive against the Clippers frontcourt, which includes the ancient Brook Lopez and the middling John Collins.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Colorado’s economy, which has been middling at best this decade in terms of job creation, took a darker turn in 2025.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for middling
Zev Fima, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
The first two Harry Potter films, based on the JK Rowling novels that became a global sensation, were massive events and box office successes but earned middling reviews from critics.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 16 Apr. 2026
Porzingis should thrive against the Clippers frontcourt, which includes the ancient Brook Lopez and the middling John Collins.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Colorado’s economy, which has been middling at best this decade in terms of job creation, took a darker turn in 2025.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for middling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for middling
Adjective
-
The Lions valued Mays’ ability to anchor in pass protection, after allowing the second-fastest average time to pressure and a pass-block win rate that ranked 31st in the NFL, per ESPN.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
But prices will likely stay high simply because the supply is so low; the average price on April 15 was 30 cents higher than a month earlier, according to the American Automobile Association.—
Aaron Cantú,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Mother's Day Weekend, overall, is looking decent.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
-
The Leafs still have two top-line stars in Auston Matthews and William Nylander, both taken high in the draft 10 and 12 years ago, and two emerging young talents in Matthew Knies and Easton Cowan, giving the makings of a decent top-six forward group already.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
The biggest decline was in Florida's Cape Coral-Fort Myers region, where the median home sale price declined 9% to $341,250 in the first quarter compared with the year-ago period.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
-
Low- and moderate-income workers would be eligible for a 1% automatic contribution and up to a 4% matching contribution from the federal government, with a phaseout at median income.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Antonelli also passed the Ferrari quickly, and by lap 22, Leclerc’s race was looking pretty mediocre, stuck behind Russell after both had made relatively early pit stops for the mandatory tire change.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
4 May 2026
-
The display also had mediocre color accuracy, with reds that verge on orange, plus a noticeable stage lighting backlight bleed from the hinge.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
The are headed to medium-Earth orbit at about 5,000 miles altitude.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
Combine milk, oats, salt, and cinnamon in a medium saucepan.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Quatraro asked for clarification and left the field without a satisfactory expression.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The defense was more than satisfactory in subduing the league’s top offense.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Each episode closes the gap between inspiration and action, reminding audiences that remarkable brands are built by ordinary people who choose to keep going.—
Ascend Agency,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
-
The only administrative requirements should be the ordinary ones that are necessary in order to maintain any system, such as confirming identity and preventing fraud, not ones that screen people out of necessary care.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Both say City Hall often appears indifferent to residents’ concerns about quality of life and affordability.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Pickens’ talent was on display during three seasons with the Steelers, but so were enough instances of petulant or indifferent behavior for then-coach Mike Tomlin to question his maturity.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Middling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/middling. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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