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
With a loss Wednesday night to the New Orleans Pelicans and the middling middle ground will prove all too real, with the Heat entering that game at 28-27, with an eight-day All-Star break to follow.
—
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Sugano, 36, is coming off a middling 2025 season with the Orioles, his first in the majors.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2026
This wasn’t just some middling offense that got shut down by a great defense, either.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
Mark Maye took on that bet as the Panthers were a middling franchise the year prior.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for middling
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Sugano, 36, is coming off a middling 2025 season with the Orioles, his first in the majors.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2026
This wasn’t just some middling offense that got shut down by a great defense, either.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
Mark Maye took on that bet as the Panthers were a middling franchise the year prior.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for middling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for middling
Adjective
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The report estimates that the average selling price of smartphones will rise 14% this year to an all-time high of $523, while manufacturers will no longer be able to make phones that cost less than $100.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
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The average price of new cars fluctuates in the span of a year, but in September, the average price of a new car surpassed $50,000—a record high, according to estimates by Kelley Blue Book.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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There are plenty of bars and pubs in downtown Atlanta, but for those looking to enjoy a decent meal and avoid some of the crowds, check out these eight bars offering good food and great sports viewing vibes around metro Atlanta.—
Olivia Wakim,
AJC.com,
4 Mar. 2026
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The 2012 draft brought a decent linebacker in Olivier Vernon and squeezed one 1,00-yard season from running back Lamar Miller.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The number of condominium and multifamily housing sales has also dropped while their median sales prices continue to rise.—
Savana Dunning,
The Providence Journal,
27 Feb. 2026
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White men had the highest median amount raised at $186,180, which was $30,000 to 50,000 more than other race and gender groups.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Would an army with excellent captains and mediocre generals be better than one with a brilliant general and crummy captains?—
Andrew Van Dam,
Washington Post,
2 Mar. 2026
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Stop using your mediocre academics as a way to patronize communities.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In the lineup are the Hobo purse, the Mini 48h bag, the Little Suitcase model and totes in small, medium and large sizes as well small leather goods like passport holders and cardholders.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
27 Feb. 2026
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It's made ideally for small and medium sized pets.—
Jessica Moore,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But could not get a satisfactory picture from all this information.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
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The move also apparently addresses a growing frustration among travelers that in-flight dining has been less than satisfactory in recent years.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Short-term capital gains — profits on assets held for a year or less — face ordinary income tax rates, which range from 10% to 37%.—
Sarah Agostino,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
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The film, now nominated for an Oscar, presents seemingly ordinary rooms that families have turned into sacred spaces, preserving them for years as a way to process grief.—
Hannah Kliger,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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With tears and fragments of personal narratives, this footage often digs deeper than some might expect for a sport derided as the domain of adrenaline junkies indifferent to the law.—
Maya Silver,
Outside,
25 Feb. 2026
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Fighting for the women’s game’s growth, though, brings additional emotional labour, and there is a psychological toll from always demanding more from indifferent stakeholders.—
Katie Whyatt,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Middling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/middling. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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