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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of middling
Snider recently published a research paper analyzing middling case clearances in police agencies across the country, including for homicides, and outlining the challenges that get in the way.
—
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025
A week later, Ron Howard’s indie film Eden opened in theaters to a forgettable $1 million from 664 theaters nearly a year after the period survival thriller premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival to middling reviews.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025
For now, though, there are the wandering Marlins, the middling Heat and Dolphins, and the elite Panthers.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
But the results were still middling.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for middling
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025
A week later, Ron Howard’s indie film Eden opened in theaters to a forgettable $1 million from 664 theaters nearly a year after the period survival thriller premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival to middling reviews.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025
For now, though, there are the wandering Marlins, the middling Heat and Dolphins, and the elite Panthers.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
But the results were still middling.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for middling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for middling
Adjective
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Basically, average lows are getting hotter both at night and in the early morning, a trend seen across the country and globe.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The planes are modern, with the average aircraft being less than seven years old.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Before the hit, Ketler had a decent amount of muscle mass from his intensive training schedule and working in landscaping the summer before, which his doctors would later tell him probably saved his life.—
Luke Chinman,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Safety in school might mean a decent cafeteria lunch, or access to a nurse down the hall, or being treated with dignity regardless of one’s gender identity.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Platte County, the second wealthiest county in Missouri, boasts many nice homes — the median home value being over $369,000.—
Madeline King,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Liberal and performing arts majors, for example, should think twice about borrowing hundreds of thousands in student loans if their median salary within five years of graduation is approximately $38,000.—
Brian Walsh,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
On a scale of one to five, an average or satisfactory experience is a three.—
Shep Hyken,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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Of those, six — including five children — are in satisfactory condition.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high and swirl to coat skillet.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Barissimo Apple Crisp Ground Coffee This $7 blend combines medium-roast coffee with notes of baked apple and cinnamon crumble for a beverage that feels like dessert in a mug.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Many will no longer accept mediocre or sub-par service.—
Shep Hyken,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
West Virginia finished the 2024 season with a mediocre 6-7 record in the Big 12.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Yet the player was able to use data to his own advantage to show that his behaviour in these fixtures was not out of the ordinary.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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If troops in our capital feel ordinary, then so do other abuses.—
Aron Solomon
September 3,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The image portrays a man battling over food scraps with swarms of flies indifferent to their invasion of his territory.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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No, Task is most interested in serving up a drama about people in pain making their way through a world filled with senseless cruelty and overseen (depending on your religious beliefs) by an indifferent God.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Middling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/middling. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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