par

noun

ˈpär How to pronounce par (audio)
Definition of parnext
1
as in standard
something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared that last dining experience was not quite up to par

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in equivalence
the state or fact of being exactly the same in number, amount, status, or quality these California wines are on a par with the best produced in Europe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in average
what is typical of a group, class, or series a pulse of 70 is par for people of that age group

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 par Martin carded a 2-over 74 Wednesday afternoon for his first above-par round after shooting identical 1-under 71s on Monday and Tuesday at the United States Golf Association’s international tournament for golfers overcoming disabilities. — Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2026 Essentially, the results were on par with how opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and paracetamol scored in trials. — New Atlas, 8 July 2026 Their sound reproduction is on par with Apple and Bose, though just a hair behind Sony, and their battery life outlasts all three by a wide margin. — Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 8 July 2026 When moisture sticks and your bathroom fan isn’t up to par, a stone or wooden bath mat can help deter moisture. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for par
Recent Examples of Synonyms for par
  1. standard
  2. equivalence
  3. average
  4. criterion
  5. equivalency
  6. normal
  7. benchmark
  8. equality
Noun
  • Still, the legal standard for charging law enforcement for a shooting in the line of duty remains high, and no criminal charges have been filed against any immigration enforcement officer involved in this year’s fatal traffic stop cases.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday ordered a temporary halt to new large-scale data center projects while the state develops stricter standards governing their energy, water and environmental impacts.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 July 2026
Definition of standard
Noun
  • That’s a false equivalence a lot of the time.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 17 June 2026
  • There are journalists curious about making the leap, journalists who already made it and want to evangelize, and journalists who are furious at him for making some kind of equivalence between these jobs and journalism.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 June 2026
Definition of equivalence
Noun
  • The advance Nielsen estimates peg Fox’s subsequent Argentina-Switzerland deliveries at just shy of 16 million viewers, although both averages are expected to rise upon application of the final Big Data + Panel numbers.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 14 July 2026
  • The stock just printed up around $266, ahead roughly 94% in the past year, riding well above both its 50-and 200-day moving averages, with DDOG / S & P turning up also, demonstrating strength vs the broader market.
    — Todd Gordon, CNBC, 14 July 2026
Definition of average
Noun
  • Candidates receiving the funding must abide by expenditure limits and adhere to the criteria set by statute, ordinance or charter to demonstrate broad support, such as demonstrate a large number of small dollar contributions.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Critics say the test rewards the smallest slice of the problem while ignoring Scope 3, the 80% to 95% of a producer's emissions that come from burning its fuel, and note the criteria echo the oil industry's own lobbying.
    — Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of criterion
Noun
  • Adult general education programs prepare those taking the GED exam for the equivalency of a high school diploma.
    — CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • Adult general education programs prepare those taking the GED exam for the equivalency of a high school diploma.
    — Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2026
Definition of equivalency
Noun
  • This preventive darkness is fast becoming the new normal for millions of residents in the West.
    — Jasmine Garland, The Conversation, 7 July 2026
  • Then, before the listener can fully settle in, the Puerto Rican rapper and singer fires off bars claiming that Grammys were stolen from him and details his many nights spent sleeping on the floor to his new normal of earning $500,000 per show.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Definition of normal
Noun
  • Over time, colleges have steadily reduced the number of objective benchmarks available for comparing applicants while increasing the role of institutional judgment.
    — Scott White, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • Les Caves du Roy at Hôtel Byblos is an undisputed institution—open since 1967 and still the benchmark for a proper Saint-Tropez night out.
    — Karli Poliziani, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2026
Definition of benchmark
Noun
  • Article 4 of the PRC constitution guarantees equality for all its 56 ethnic groups, though in reality the national vision hews to a Han Chinese orthodoxy, which avers a direct lineage from the early Yellow River basin tribes.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026
  • The original design featured 13 stripes representing the colonies and 13 stars arranged in a circle to symbolize equality among them.
    — Pete Cuddihy, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of equality

Phrases Containing par

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papules
par
parable
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Cite this Entry

“Par.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/par. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on par

Nglish: Translation of par for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about par

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