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Recent Examples of norm Overhead work must be shared fairly, not assigned based on outdated gender norms. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 An act like this just further feeds into the cycle of fear, grievance and retaliation that erodes democratic norms and highlights the dangerous realities that public figures across the political spectrum now have to deal with. Nick Mordowanec jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025 The method was also widely used in mainland China until government regulations started calling for steel and aluminum scaffolds, in keeping with international norms, in the 1990s. Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025 The authoritarian regime uses power gained democratically to break democratic norms, undermine democratic institutions and tilt the playing field in its own favor. Karrin Vasby Anderson, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for norm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for norm
Noun
  • Temperatures will be near seasonal normals today, then cooler than normal again tomorrow.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
  • After airing the third episode of its 27th season on August 20, a new South Park once again will be absent this week from Comedy Central and Paramount+, and that looks to be the new normal for the rest of the show’s 10-episode run this year.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • But Republicans should question their own members who fail in other areas that require adherence to basic standards of conscience and competence.
    Kimberly Ross, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Align With Compliance Work with your legal team to ensure the policy meets any relevant laws or standards, such as HIPAA in healthcare, GDPR in the EU or other data protection rules.
    Mike Rosen, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Users can find out where prices stand in their local area relative to the national average; or look up localities nearby to better understand how prices vary in their region.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Through two games, the Ragin’ Cajuns have held opponents to an average of 12 points per game — a mark that’s tied for the best in the Sun Belt.
    Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Since many of Yiwu's products don't meet EU compliance standards, that limits how much businesses can sell to Europe, Monga said.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Roads, bridges, power grids, and water systems fueled industrialization and lifted living standards.
    Maurice Obeid, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Norm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/norm. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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