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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
By that point, 30 years ago, Glass’s blood glucose levels had spiked to 600 milligrams per deciliter—six times higher than normal. Liz Szabo, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025 Shannel left the hospital with reassurances that everything was fine — that the swelling was normal and would resolve with time. Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
Unfortunately, this just seems to be the new normal for DJI, and not just for drones. PC Magazine, 17 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 See All Example Sentences for normal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for normal
Adjective
  • Now, the stage sure seems set for a more convincing victory this weekend over the 1-5 Saints, who are altogether ordinary across all three phases and in their first season under new coach Kellen Moore.
    Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Reichardt emphasizes the extremity of the action with a strikingly novel form of cinematic narrative that, in a more ordinary drama, might feel like a facile evasion.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Researchers from Peking University, the University of Cambridge, and partner institutions highlighted that glass is often used to immobilize contaminants such as radionuclides and heavy metals, locking them safely inside a stable structure.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • To rebuild the city, the tunnels will need to be filled to make the ground stable enough for construction.
    Jennifer Griffin , Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Voronkov skated by the Columbus bench for the typical goal celebration anyway.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
  • What would be a typical work outfit for you?
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • With the amount of stoppage time match officials are adding on, Premier League matches this season have lasted an average of 100 minutes and 35 seconds.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Elk Grove Unified also saw a rate of improvement higher than the state average, which administrators owed in part to data-sharing.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Steelers counter with their usual black-and-yellow primaries.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Kevin sneaks his way into a room at the Plaza Hotel and gets up to his usual shenanigans in the building, which was owned in real life by Donald at the time, with Ivana serving as the property's president.
    Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • How much the reader should sympathize with Lisa—whether the character whom Harwicz has created is more aptly seen as a wronged person lashing out or as a more lucid villain—also feels unresolved.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Just like the Nômade property in Tulum, Nômade Temple Holbox is mindfulness focused to the core, offering experiences ranging from introductory yoga classes to more out-there wellness experiences like lucid dreaming sound journeys.
    Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to her more standard posts, she's also opened up about her grieving process, sharing updates on her therapy and coping journeys.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Buck Mason’s Loomstate selvedge cowboy cut jeans have a higher rise than the standard fit, giving you a more Western style.
    Christopher Murray may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Zack Barnes, a professor of education and former middle school teacher, said initiatives that motivate children to read widely—especially books that challenge norms—can be critical for development.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Each order, each speech, each threat against democratic norms is a stress test.
    Jason M. Blazakis, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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