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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
To her credit, Sepideh is aware enough to own the surreal gulf between what to her is a normal life and what has become Fatma’s normal life. Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 17 May 2025 However, chances are your child will at some point touch or lick some part of the learning tower, a normal way for young children to explore their world. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 May 2025
Noun
Normal snow range is the three-decade averages of climate normals from 1991-2020. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025 This year’s small audience decline is pretty on par with other award shows recently, suggesting that these ceremonies might be settling into a new normal after all of them saw viewership tank in 2020. Katie Campione, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for normal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for normal
Adjective
  • Things get better and worse and better, happier and sadder and so on, as the couple travels through eight episodes of mostly ordinary drama — jealousy and insecurity, mopiness and mooniness, desolation and elation, miscommunication and reconciliation — on the way to maturity.
    Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
  • Tossing in a load of wash at home sounds ordinary and harmless.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Temperatures are all maintained and stable in all steps.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 12 May 2025
  • They’re made with a contoured footbed packed with arch support, as well as a deep heel cup to keep your feet stable.
    Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • Social Security payments are set to go out May 14 – a few days later than is typical.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • However, the typical analyst expects shares to slide from here.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Over that course of time, the president's approval rating has largely remained unchanged, give or take a few points, based on averages of multiple polls.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Resume submissions in the region have gone up an average of 20% year over year, which is higher than the state’s average, the data show.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • No defense adjustments to deal with Collier and Arike inconsistent freelancing as usual.
    Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • No doubt this has had an impact on his play in the second major of the season, where his driving has been far from his usual quality.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • Liz joins an experiment that revives emotions via lucid memories.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 8 May 2025
  • Psychologists slowly came around, conducting research and tapping into patients’ lucid dreaming capacity for therapeutic purposes.
    Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Rivian's current least powerful battery pack provides 270 miles of driving range, but the standard R2 could have less range as a smaller model.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • The bill also includes a temporary $2,000 boost to the standard deduction, bringing it to $32,000 for joint filers.
    Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Turns out there are serious considerations involved, touching upon numerous societal and cultural norms, business and economic facets, mindfulness factors, and the like.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • The power excesses of this president extend well beyond disregard for fundamental constitutional norms or basic civil rights.
    Erin M. Carr, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Normal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/normal. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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