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 Here are some ways this conclave is different: The highest number of cardinal electors in any conclave Pope Paul VI set a rule in 1975 limiting the number of cardinal electors to 120, a norm that wasn’t strictly adhered to in the College of Cardinals meetings known as consistories. Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 6 May 2025 His style challenged hip-hop’s masculinity norms while expanding its imagination for future dandy’s like Tyler, Doechii, and A$AP Rocky to follow. Essence, 5 May 2025 The notion of an international order based on rules, norms, and broadly shared values has deep roots. Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025 Think of the global prestige of American universities, the enduring reach of English-language media or the aspirational pull of Western legal and political norms – and Western culture, too. Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for norm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for norm
Noun
  • For McClain, a colonel and Master Army aviator, that means adapting to a new normal of living and working in space.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 18 May 2025
  • The movie’s over-all arc is a common one: from the unquestioned routines of daily life to the strange new normal of risks and precautions, fears and constraints, illness and deaths; from there to an eventual sense of wary relief.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Boeing has faced criticism for its safety standards in recent years but claims its turnaround is underway.
    Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 4 Jan. 2025
  • The storied manufacturer faced criticism for what many saw as slipping standards on its production lines in recent years.
    Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 4 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The price-to-earnings ratio for the S&P 500, based on earnings estimates for the next 12 months, was at 21.7 as of Monday, well above its long-term average of 15.8, according to LSEG Datastream.
    Davide Barbuscia, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • The study observed 92,000 French adults for an average of 6.7 years.
    David Hilzenrath, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • That figure does come with a footnote, as Kawasaki notes it was measured using the ISO 4106 standard instead of SAE standards and may be inflated compared to using the latter.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 May 2025
  • Speaking at the Lowry Theatre in Salford on Wednesday, Davie responded to a question from Nazir Afzal, a board member of the creative industries independent safeguarding agency, about trust and workplace standards.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Norm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/norm. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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