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 This isn’t entirely surprising given how middling reviews for the film have been. — Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026 Remaking Mai Like Tupaia, Mai was from Raiatea, where he was born into a family of middling rank. — Saar Shahar, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026 Bakker was a middling student, but did exhibit an early interest in showbiz and a talent for salesmanship. — Tim Funk, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026 Hilton, who polls show down 20% or more, said Sacramento Democrats were at fault for California’s high prices and middling outcomes on issues like homelessness. — Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for middling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for middling

Adjective

But even just our average rainfall, that's typically when the lake recharges is during the winter and early spring.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
But, sea level rise is pushing them higher and higher, and experts say these higher-than-usual tides offer a taste of what an average day could look like in decades to comes, when seas are a few feet higher.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of average

Adjective

The activists who once demanded radical change begin worrying about their children’s safety, their schools, and whether the neighborhood is a decent place to grow up.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026
Each tier receives different benefits, but even the lowester level (Green) still gets a decent amount of perks.

— Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of decent

Adjective

The median job tenure in the US is about four years, while the federal government evaluates health outcomes on a 10-year timetable.

— Ben Smith, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2026
According to the board’s resolution, DWP customers saw a 15% to 20% median increase in electricity use during the most recent bimonthly billing period compared with the same time last year.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of median

Adjective

Roan also adds an new verse to the song, slightly changing the lyrics to reference a mediocre female suitor alongside Rodrigo’s original lines.

— Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
Neither release became a theatrical phenomenon, but each earned more than $40 million worldwide — suggesting even mediocre horror films can get respectable returns when their premises are appealing enough.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of mediocre

Adjective

Partially cover pot, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of a thigh registers at least 165°, 15–18 minutes.

— Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026
The shrimp selections are the star of the table, with medium-size butterflied shrimp fried, grilled or served chilled.

— Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of medium

Adjective

Why not, then, return to 2016 spending amounts which seemed satisfactory at the time?

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Harriot quickly found a convenient formula for how many were arranged in a square pyramid based on the number in the bottom row and was able to present Raleigh with a satisfactory solution.

— Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of satisfactory

Adjective

However, the record does not establish that the configuration is suitable for ordinary motorcycle use on water or for routine amphibious transportation.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
Behind the camera, Avani Rai shot about 130 people comprising ordinary Indians, dancers, models, and artisans, as well as her mother and actor Ranveer Singh against the streets of Old Delhi and its flower market and crowded alleyways.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of ordinary

Adjective

The film conceives of a universe ruled by blind luck, fundamentally indifferent to human suffering and moral comeuppance.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
Life is a combination of spending time with the difficult ones, the indifferent ones and the awesome ones among them.

— Vinesh Sukumaran, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026