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 These brawls further eroded democratic norms, while driving voters away from left-wing and moderate parties who seemed helpless to halt them. Time, 23 Oct. 2025 Instagram’s filters screen out content outside PG-13 norms, including strong profanity, depictions of drug use or dangerous stunts. Larry Magid, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025 Citing halted university research grants, indictments of political opponents, and the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland, Merkley accused the administration of undermining constitutional norms. Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 In the East, the northern branch of the jet stream tends to carry faster-moving, less intense storms, which can mean snowfall near or even below average, with temperatures closer to seasonal norms, AccuWeather said. Doyle Rice, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for norm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for norm
Noun
  • Otherwise, things should be mainly dry with temperatures close to seasonal normals.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
  • That’s become the new normal for this franchise.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • For his part, Elliott has impressed Villa personnel with his attitude and application, which chimes with Emery’s coaching staff’s uber-meticulous professional standards.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Then unlimited human creativity invents new jobs that deliver more value overall, and living standards rise.
    Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • While the average home value in Ohio was $247,160, buyers could score a home in Sandusky for an average of just $145,974 or in South Euclid for an average of just $185,896.
    Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2025
  • That number, after all, is an average, and an employer who has had some big claims—like employees dealing with big health issues such as cancer—in the last year might need to raise costs even more, to 11 or 13%, for example.
    Alana Semuels, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The opposition accuses Fico of eroding democratic standards, media freedom, and covering up corruption.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
  • This path instills our culture, standards and patient-first philosophy from the start.
    Prof. Dr. med. Mazda Farshad, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Norm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/norm. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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