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 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 Eking out a win, even a middling one, the studio chose its cut as the one to go into theaters. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026 Being poor in America meant, by global standards, something closer to middling. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 June 2026 The Heat rocketed from middling long odds to the fifth favorite for the next NBA championship with the seismic trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee. — Greg Cote june 28, Miami Herald, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for middling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for middling

Adjective

Not an average city stay— as much as the hotel has a party scene, around hot dive and cocktail bars—there is also green space all around the property's location.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
The average wait for an asylum hearing in California is 1,412 days as of that latest data.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of average

Adjective

As time passes, the kills have to get more inventive to sustain the level of suspense required for a decent sized group of people to be in fear of their lives for a prolong period of time.

— Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
These are fine principles, the bedrock of any decent society.

— James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026

Definition of decent

Adjective

Single mothers often operate like CEOs of high-stakes enterprises, managing income, risk, and capital with no margin for error due to structural disadvantages like lower median income and exorbitant childcare costs.

— Kristin Vance Richards, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
The median household income is $20,000 below the national median, and thousands of jobs have been cut as mining operations close.

— Elijah TanAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026

Definition of median

Adjective

But their tales of fragile relationships, dead-end jobs, and mediocre friendships are fleshed out with patient details straight out of a Kelly Reichardt film.

— Ethan Beck, Pitchfork, 23 July 2026
The Yankees should see a mediocre American League as an opportunity for a second pennant in three years; Aaron Judge’s uncertain injury status applies more pressure to do something at the deadline to chase down the Rays in the AL East.

— Tim Britton, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of mediocre

Adjective

This matters because ringing up more sales outside the morning coffee rush can help keep Starbucks’ comps growing at satisfactory clips as year-over-year comparisons get tougher.

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 30 July 2026
Police responses can also lead to trauma for that person or a less satisfactory outcome than another community service response would produce, Duckett said.

— Scott Maucione, NPR, 27 July 2026

Definition of satisfactory

Adjective

Its inhabitants remain largely indifferent to the independence movement; village elders reason that freedom will benefit the educated while cultivators will merely exchange one set of masters for another.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
Contrary to a popular myth, bees are indifferent to their keepers.

— Richard Schiffman, Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2026