1
as in normal
what is typical of a group, class, or series sales figures that are within the norm of a store of that size

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2
as in standards
norms plural the code of good conduct for an individual or group societal norms dictate that murder is wrong

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How is the word norm distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of norm are average, mean, and median. While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade.

scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

When is it sensible to use average instead of norm?

The synonyms average and norm are sometimes interchangeable, but average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures.

scored an average of 85 on tests

When might mean be a better fit than norm?

The words mean and norm can be used in similar contexts, but mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes.

a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°

When can median be used instead of norm?

Although the words median and norm have much in common, median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below.

average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars

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 norm Is a couple of months of pinpoint accuracy his new norm? Fred Katz, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025 As the shutdown unfolds, Democrats appear determined to hold their ground, framing the fight not just as a budget dispute but as a broader defense of democratic norms and public services. Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025 While we're used to seeing AHS shake up its format, season 10's Double Feature is a complete departure from the series' norm. James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025 Students who are immersed in American schools adopt new norms more quickly. Hind Haddad, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for norm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for norm
Noun
  • While the buildings continue to sell out, fans can expect these higher prices to be the new normal for WWE's biggest shows.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Temperatures will warm into an above-normal range during the middle of the week, but then cool down below the seasonal normal by the weekend, the weather service reported.
    Michelle Cruz, AZCentral.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Since you’re still considered a federal employee on furlough, any job must fall within the federal government’s standards of ethical conduct and rules.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • And the typical rules of decorum are loosened as a result — at least by golf standards.
    Bob Harkins, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Mississippi shoppers couldn't get enough candy corn last year, buying a whopping 92% more of the sweet treat than the national average, according to the Instacart study.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Russia's Defense Ministry reported downing a total of 2,788 long-range Ukrainian drones during September, at an average of just under 93 per day.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The coaching staff enforces a heightened standard of execution.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Along with passing the map, the Utah legislature passed a bill on redistricting standards that amends Proposition 4, the law that came into play when Utah courts ruled the map needed to be redistricted.
    Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Norm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/norm. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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