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 Plenty of possibilities Acquiring many middling starting pitchers would also carry the cost of their remaining salary for this season. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for middling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for middling

Adjective

His overall offensive touch and instincts are average, but there’s enough to his game to be a potential third-line forward, maybe even as a center.

— Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
The speed at which participants first focused on an image, and the average length of time participants spent looking at each image, were both recorded and turned into a score.

— Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of average

Adjective

To qualify, residents must have an average income of about 60% of the region's median income.

— Hunter Sowards, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
The lawmakers said Committed Gateway Pricing mechanism would set rates at the 70th percentile of the railroads’ own comparable traffic rates, rather than at a median or below-average benchmark.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of median

Adjective

Fernandes has some concerns as a lower volume striker, and his wrestling is mediocre.

— Brett Appley, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
But that enthusiasm once led him to buy five wooden boxes in a single haul, several of which were mediocre and three of which needed repairs.

— Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of mediocre

Adjective

Washes were medium to dark with an emphasize on natural wash patterns.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
Dunkin's fall menu includes several bakery items and the return of the $6 Meal Deal, which comes with a Bacon, Egg and Cheese Sandwich, hash browns and a medium hot or iced coffee.

— Mike Snider, USA Today, 19 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

Pay attention to ordinary pleasures, like a warm bed on a cold night, a good cup of coffee, or a brightly colored bird outside the window.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 18 Aug. 2026
Critics, however, said the effects of those macroeconomic improvements were not being felt by ordinary Zambians who were growing frustrated with a high cost of living and electricity shortages.

— Jacob Zimba, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of ordinary

Adjective

Difference may still matter for close relationships Our findings do not mean that people are indifferent to differences.

— Andras Molnar, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026
Over time, the same system that profited from his brilliance proved indifferent to his vulnerability, and his life became reduced to a singular narrative of addiction and demise.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026