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

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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
Burke said on Thursday that processing times would return to normal, but Heyes said that doesn’t help the backpackers who have held off booking flights and tours, and the employers who were waiting, ready to hire them, for the harvest season. Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026 Amid the rain and clouds, temperatures will remain near normal, with highs generally in the upper 80s and lower 90s, and low temps ranging from the lower 70s to upper 70s. Juan Ortega, Sun Sentinel, 18 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
Noun
Sometimes there’s no need to look any further than normality. Time, Time, 26 June 2026 Oil prices fell to their lowest level since the US-Israel war with Iran, as growing signs of a tentative return to normality through the Strait of Hormuz soothed markets. Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for normal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for normal
Adjective
  • Now, with growing bipartisan opposition to the rapid buildout of data centers suggest that even ordinary residents of communities and voters have increased power to help pace the frontier from the bottom up.
    Bhaskar Chakravorti, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Still, this trip could answer questions that eventually affect far more ordinary electric vehicles.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Her mother, originally from Sinaloa, does workers’ compensation insurance, which provided a stable income and allowed her partner to pursue acting.
    Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
  • When many defects were present, the electrons became locked into an unexpectedly stable Wigner solid with irregular and disordered patterns.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Figures such as Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul el Sayed have given Republicans an opportunity to cast Democrats as socially out of touch and misaligned with the typical voter’s values.
    Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2026
  • These costs have grown 72% since 2015 and now account for 10 to 11% of a typical monthly bill.
    Joe McGee, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index weathered a savage 30% drawdown, has been choppily trendless for two months, then in recent days finally broke above its downtrend and surmounted the 50-day moving average.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Northern cities such as Coeur d’Alene will lose an average of nearly three and a half minutes of daytime every day, according to Time and Date.
    Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • There will be three races held in the United States once again, each retaining their usual date slots.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • To Diana, who has taken over First Desk at the Park after last season’s events, River’s refusal to take bereavement leave gives her license to speak about his grandfather’s funeral arrangements with her usual cool formality.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 16 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
  • In standard reality competitions, performers get to plan, practice, and refine their acts, showcasing their strongest skills.
    Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Unfortunately, 2026’s unprecedented memory crunch has upended that standard operating procedure.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • And if beef is still seven dollars a pound—or if severe weather has driven it higher still—cultural norms may start to shift.
    Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Leaders should also establish clear team norms for when communication can happen asynchronously and when a live conversation is more appropriate.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Normal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/normal. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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