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
Air traffic control authorities confirmed flight operations were normal, but some flights may face delays. — Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026 Security checks on the stadium's perimeter went relatively smoothly with Tennessee officials opening the stadium 30 minutes earlier than normal. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Noun
But the idea of global water bankruptcy shows that in many places, there’s no old normal to go back to. — Sara Roversi, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 In May, news broke that Hewitt and Davidson, 32, had broken up and were trying to navigate their new normal as co-parents. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for normal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for normal
Adjective
  • Georgia Power estimates this system will deliver 900 million dollars in net savings for ordinary customers over the working life of the reactors.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Kyiv argued the warehouses held dual-use goods, and that hitting them would impose an immediate cost on ordinary Russians, who would pressure the Kremlin to end the war.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The Nebraska researchers also found that hafnia becomes more stable as its thickness decreases.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The parties see upside in a merger, according to the report, because both companies’ shares have been undervalued and People’s stable of lifestyle magazines like Food & Wine could complement the hospitality offerings of MGM.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Instead of reaching out to typical Western researchers and scientists, Boyland and his team went to Africa and approached wildlife guides, drivers, photographers, and locals who saw wildlife daily.
    — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Options flows from institutional investors are around three times higher than a typical September, the data shows.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • That's a gap of 45 percentage points -- more than 7 times the national average.
    — MICHAEL PHILLIS, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Before the rain arrives, Kansas City should see warm, humid conditions as temperatures climb to around 80 degrees, slightly above the metro’s 74-degree average typical for this time of year.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • My task was to comment on which might be most palatable—or least offensive—to the fair’s usual client base.
    — Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • There were three meltdowns close together that were worse than usual.
    — Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • But his memory, of a long career as a reporter around the globe, with turns as an essayist, a historian, a novelist, and a political activist, remains almost eerily lucid.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026
  • These 16 slaps are lucid and adventurous, featuring random Jay Electronica warblings, DJ Quik rhythms, and a couple of surprisingly appropriate Westside Gunn vignettes.
    — Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The geometry of order The research team aimed to investigate how combining these non-standard reflection properties with an asymmetrical cavity reshapes wave dynamics.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In the standard story, the United States, Britain, and France stood by, wringing their hands and straining for appeasement while the Japanese stampeded through Asia and Nazi Storm Troopers ran roughshod over Europe.
    — Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • That creates an inherent tension with norms around privacy and personal space.
    — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • This is to ensure conformance to an overarching body of human values, standards, cultural norms, expectations and usability considerations.
    — Keith Tidman, Baltimore Sun, 24 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Normal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/normal. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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