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 29-year-old Canale only broke into the national team squad in March after a middling career. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 30 June 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 Rogen’s character Joe is a bitter former musician who teaches at a middling conservatory. — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for middling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for middling

Adjective

There has been no significant rain in July, and temperatures are above average.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Also, the average lifespan of an incandescent bulb is only 1,000 hours.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

Definition of average

Adjective

But at a time when the physical element of football is at risk of overpowering the technical side, a decent fix is playing matches in conditions where relentless sprinting simply isn’t possible.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 22 July 2026
But Nickel had a solid spring, flashing a strong arm, decent accuracy and an ability to throw deftly on the run.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026

Definition of decent

Adjective

The California Association of Realtors’ latest housing report shows the statewide median home price was $904,640 in June.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Their income will be compared to the median earnings of working adults aged 25 to 34 with only a high school diploma either in the state where the college is located or nationally if the intuition has high rates of out-of-state enrollment.

— Francesca Pinney, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of median

Adjective

Netflix’s decade-plus run of TV dominance means Wall Street and others judge it on an unforgiving curve, and when issues crop up — like this last stretch of mediocre ratings — folks are going to take notice.

— Josef Adalian, Vulture, 16 July 2026
By spinning in flight at between 15 and 25 Hz, Phantom Twist takes advantage of humans’ decidedly mediocre visual system to turn a solid spinning object into an opaque smear.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2026

Definition of mediocre

Adjective

In a medium bowl microwave chocolate until melted, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2026
If grilling, cook the eggplants over direct medium heat until soft and charred on both sides, turning once or twice, 6 to 8 minutes.

— Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 21 July 2026

Definition of medium

Adjective

Even a successful ground invasion would not guarantee a satisfactory outcome unless political leaders had a credible plan for the post-invasion governance and order.

— David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
IQAir expects the air quality index (AQI) to improve throughout the day Monday, even reaching the green level that is considered satisfactory.

— Mike Stunson, USA Today, 20 July 2026