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
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 Celtics are a middling 18-10 in home games this season but won their last two.
—
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
That was when the playoffs seemed like an almost sure thing in light of the middling competition in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
Saudi Arabia, a country that is largely made up of desert, has fewer than 40 million people, and boasts a middling military with no nuclear arms, may be emerging as the 21st century’s most improbable superpower.
—Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Mar. 2025
New York won seven straight under coach and Hall of Fame goalie Patrick Roy, but has since returned to its middling ways, seizing four of its past 10 opportunities.
—Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for middling
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
That was when the playoffs seemed like an almost sure thing in light of the middling competition in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
Saudi Arabia, a country that is largely made up of desert, has fewer than 40 million people, and boasts a middling military with no nuclear arms, may be emerging as the 21st century’s most improbable superpower.
—Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Mar. 2025
New York won seven straight under coach and Hall of Fame goalie Patrick Roy, but has since returned to its middling ways, seizing four of its past 10 opportunities.
—Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for middling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for middling
Adjective
-
The American Public Health Association says that as global average temperatures rise, these trends will continue and make allergies an increasing public health concern.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Thresholds For Degree Programs Established Another provision establishes the minimum average number of graduates that degree programs at state colleges and universities must produce over a three-year period.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Thus far, Wall Street has had a decent start to the first-quarter earnings season.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The former Washington Husky has had a decent start to his 2025 season.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The median sales price in the area is now $476,667, according to Zillow.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
-
In Lisbon, median real estate sales prices soared 62% from 2018 to 2024.—
Meehika Barua,
HubSpot,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The surgery was difficult due to Bolsonaro’s prior surgeries and stab wound, but Sunday’s procedure did not have unexpected complications and the result was satisfactory, doctors said, adding that hospital visits for now should be limited to family.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
14 Apr. 2025
-
According to the complaint, Combs allegedly said the act wasn’t satisfactory and threatened Doe with violence afterward.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In a skillet, sweat the onion with half the extra virgin olive oil for several minutes over medium heat.—
Isabella Milano,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Apr. 2025
-
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat.—
Kelly Brant,
Arkansas Online,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
For small teams, especially in early-stage startups, spreading content efforts thin often leads to mediocre results across all platforms.—
Abdo Riani,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
-
After a mediocre entry in 2023’s Assassin’s Creed Mirage—which began as Valhalla DLC and was developed by B-team Ubisoft Bordeaux—Shadows is an all-in, massive budget monstrosity led by the very Aist of teams.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
So refreshing to see out of ordinary kitchen design.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Oliver is closer to ordinary than dominant on a game-by-game basis, while DeWayne Carter was a healthy scratch in the playoffs.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Jesus routinely criticized wealthy people who were indifferent to the poor.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
-
And if these two were indifferent to each other, there would be no story.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Middling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/middling. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share