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
However, the normal lead time outside of the holiday rush is about three weeks. — Jennifer Bradley Franklin, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2026 Esposito realized the same thing should happen to normal photons. — Matthew Von Hippel, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2026
Noun
That trend will continue through the weekend, with Sunday highs likely a few degrees below normal for this time of year. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Temperatures are expected to be closer to seasonal normals, reaching highs in the 80s through the weekend and into early next week. — Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for normal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for normal
Adjective
  • Observe one ordinary stretch of your day without immediately trying to improve it.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Judges, civil-rights lawyers, academics, election officials, curators, artists, and countless ordinary citizens stood up.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • In a unanimous vote, the 44 senators present voted to remove Peña for misconduct in office, bringing a dramatic end to one of South America's most stable presidencies.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
  • This bike would make a lot more sense if my feet were solid and stable underneath me.
    — Kevin Fanady, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The first Taibaan film raised THB2 million ($59,000), or THB4 million ($119,000) including marketing, and grossed THB35 million ($1 million), in a market where a typical Thai feature costs THB30 million ($891,000) or more.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Vagabond Haven The interior measures 59 sq m (635 sq ft), spread over two floors, offering significantly more room to move around in than a typical towable tiny house.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The national average is below $4 per gallon, giving motorists across Chicago a bit of a breather for the first time since July.
    — Tara Molina, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
  • In the metro, temperatures are expected to reach around 67 degrees, above the 56-degree average for this time of year.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Rumors about the lineup had been flying around for weeks, as per usual in the fall, with multiple reports naming the eventual headliners while the festival stayed mum on the official report.
    — Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Hood is a spiritual advisor to inmates all over the country, but has been busier than usual in Florida — a state that has put a record-breaking 38 people to death since 2025, with more scheduled this year, under the guidance of DeSantis.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Binoche plays Amanda with a surfeit of tenderness for her mother, who goes from being lucid to infantile without warning.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • This lucid translation makes no apologies for preserving Homer’s (to us) nonidiomatic constructions.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The Storm also receives a metal motor cover instead of the standard Ultra's plastic component, along with glossy purple, glossy white, and black-blue finishes.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The original tip about the arrests, Israel’s Channel 12 News later reported, came from Netanyahu’s chief of staff, who bypassed standard channels to personally reach the police commissioner.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Researchers point to a range of factors, from changing cultural norms to economic pressures.
    — Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The military has largely tried to uphold this norm, even as civilian political leaders have sought to draw it into partisan debates.
    — Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Normal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/normal. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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