Definition of normalnext
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normal

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noun (1)

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

normality

3 of 3

noun (2)

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
And because the malicious software lives in the system partition, a normal uninstall won't remove the underlying infection. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Ningbo-Zhoushan yard density had returned to normal after Golden Week, the same Seko update said, although waits still ran one-and-a-half to three days across its terminals. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 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
Noun
But coming out of a pandemic that had robbed players of normality, a few days extra at the best tournaments felt doable, given the financial payoff. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 25 July 2026 In Season 2, the Klatts are finally getting back to normality until Wanda is caught seemingly red-handed standing over a dead body. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for normal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for normal
Adjective
  • When a family is one ordinary bill from the edge, its backup plan is sleeping in the car.
    — Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The Ohio State University In ordinary air, oxygen molecules settle onto the sensor surfaces and draw electrons away from the material, increasing its electrical resistance.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The researchers designed the new electrolyte to tackle these problems by combining efficient ion transport with a more stable, solid-like structure.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Most SaaS pricing models were created around predictable usage patterns; subscriptions assume relatively stable cost structures, but AI breaks that assumption because usage becomes more dynamic.
    — Channing Ferrer, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The museum isn’t located in downtown Houston or anywhere near the stadiums, the museum district, or typical attractions people visit in the city.
    — Jill Robbins, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The gravity on the surface can be several billion times Earth’s, and a typical neutron star’s magnetic field is billions of times stronger than Earth’s as well.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Center Joint Unified’s Measure E would cost property owners an average of about $55 annually for every $100,000 of assessed value, allowing the district to borrow up to $197 million.
    — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The race was rated as a toss-up by the Cook Political Report, and a RealClearPolitics average of two polls showed the two candidates in a dead heat.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Breakfast is à la carte, with all the usual suspects, including shakshuka and avocado toast, and silver pots filled with high-octane coffee.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
  • So, the high-scoring Lakers just had to play to their usual effort.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • This lucid translation makes no apologies for preserving Homer’s (to us) nonidiomatic constructions.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Perfectly lucid, aware of the smell of Simple Green overtaken by perfumes, the talcum stink of baby powder.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 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
  • The two districts have been strongholds for the GOP for decades, but this election could upend historic norms.
    — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Fear of injury prevents them from starting or sidelines them even if jogging used to be their norm.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Normal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/normal. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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