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Definition of normalnext
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normal

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noun

as in average
what is typical of a group, class, or series a temperature chart showing the normals and extremes for various regions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective normal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of normal are natural, regular, and typical. While all these words mean "being of the sort or kind that is expected as usual, ordinary, or average," normal implies lack of deviation from what has been discovered or established as the most usual or expected.

normal behavior for a two-year-old

In what contexts can natural take the place of normal?

The meanings of natural and normal largely overlap; however, natural applies to what conforms to a thing's essential nature, function, or mode of being.

the natural love of a mother for her child

When is regular a more appropriate choice than normal?

While in some cases nearly identical to normal, regular stresses conformity to a rule, standard, or pattern.

the club's regular monthly meeting

When might typical be a better fit than normal?

The words typical and normal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, typical implies showing all important traits of a type, class, or group and may suggest lack of strong individuality.

a typical small town

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 normal
Adjective
Breaking normal current flow The transistor also behaves differently from conventional semiconductor devices. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 June 2026 These tiny devices use electrical currents to correct issues with a person’s heart rate and get them back to normal, helping to prevent heart failure. Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026
Noun
This has become the new normal for middle-income families, and even higher-income Americans are starting to fall behind on their bills. Dr. Erika Rasure, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2026 With snowfall 60% below normal for the season through February in its home state of Colorado and low in neighboring Utah, Vail has seen skiers and snowboarders stay away in droves. Phil Wahba, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for normal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for normal
Adjective
  • Antimatter is just a form of matter made of particles that have the same mass as ordinary matter, but opposite charges and quantum properties.
    Christopher Karwin, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
  • Obfuscated servers make your VPN traffic look like ordinary HTTPS web traffic.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2026
Adjective
  • Emergency medical services transported the victims to the hospital in stable condition.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 8 June 2026
  • As the aircraft moves backward, the pilot starts each of the primary engines and brings them up to a stable idle.
    David Szondy June 07, New Atlas, 7 June 2026
Adjective
  • Once the Islander opened the door, in typical Love Island USA fashion, they were prompted to kiss the other islanders with common interests.
    Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 9 June 2026
  • In the Veritasium video, Humphreys speculated that the Russians may have been testing the satellites’ GPS interference capabilities only briefly on a neighboring frequency adjacent to the typical GPS band.
    Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • Such plants are predominantly located in communities of color, with an average of 77% of the residents within a mile identifying as such, according to census data.
    Jason Henry, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
  • The second-best team in the WNBA at hanging onto the ball, Chicago committed 18 turnovers, eight more than its average.
    Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • Laurie Metcalf, confirming her standing as the First Lady of the American Theater, won for her portrayal of Linda Loman, a more formidable than usual interpretation of Willy’s stalwart wife.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
  • Above the factory floor, the big bosses determined our production goals for the day, as usual.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Adjective
  • Broken down into five lucid chapters, the letter argues against a robotic future, and for a socially just one.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
  • After the disturbing death of Reverend Bryce at the end of last week’s episode of Widow’s Bay, Tom, Wyck, and Patricia search his office for clues that might explain why this seemingly lucid man of the cloth suddenly hung himself.
    Jen Chaney, Vulture, 20 May 2026
Adjective
  • In a matter of months, unmanned vehicles have gone from rare frontline curiosities to standard issue.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
  • What sets a skillcation apart from a standard tour is the depth of the experience.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • When a 22-year-old financial analyst can’t watch how a senior colleague handles a difficult client call, can’t absorb the unspoken norms of a trading floor, can’t get pulled into a hallway conversation that becomes a career-defining project — the value of hiring them drops.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 May 2026
  • Cognitive surrender is not yet the organizational norm.
    Chris Rosenberg, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Normal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/normal. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

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