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run-of-the-mill

adjective

ˌrən-ə(v)-t͟hə-ˈmil How to pronounce run-of-the-mill (audio)
Definition of run-of-the-millnext
1
as in normal
being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events just another run-of-the-mill suburb with its shopping malls and fast-food restaurants

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ordinary
of average to below average quality his latest offering is rather run-of-the-mill for this usually excellent novelist

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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 run-of-the-mill This group includes many of our run-of-the-mill garden weeds. — Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Aug. 2026 What first appears to be a run-of-the-mill Seattle rainstorm is soon revealed to be something more nefarious, as the apparently sentient precipitation seals everyone inside of their homes. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026 Had he been exposed to a more run-of-the-mill pneumonic plague, symptom onset would have already consigned him to bed. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026 The Polo Lounge isn’t just a run-of-the-mill restaurant in Los Angeles. — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for run-of-the-mill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for run-of-the-mill
  1. normal
  2. ordinary
  3. usual
  4. decent
  5. typical
  6. mediocre
  7. average
  8. satisfactory
Adjective
  • You literally get paid time to give back during normal work hours.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The catastrophe left Miami’s airport operating with just two of its normal four runways on a busy Labor Day and raised questions about whether the facility needs better equipment to prevent an overshooting aircraft from leaving airport property.
    — Maria Aguilar Prieto, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • McCuin has only good speed and ordinary size, but his route savvy, ball skills and competitive toughness separate him on tape.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Europol does not keep statistics on nihilistic violent extremism because definitions of it differ and acts can fall into the category of ordinary criminality as well as terrorism.
    — Lorne Cook, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of ordinary
Adjective
  • But Sunday’s season opener, going up against a Tennessee Titans team now led by Saleh, has a more doomsday feel than usual for the Jets.
    — Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Simmons went eclectic, surrounding himself with guest musicians and exploring sounds beyond the band’s usual territory.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of usual
Adjective
  • This is part of WaterAid’s core approach that aims to change lives with clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.
    — Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026
  • If both are out for Week 1, Roschon Johnson would slot into the mid-upper 30s, as a high-volume play not without decent risk.
    — Jake Ciely, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of decent
Adjective
  • In typical Zheng fashion, she’s been upfront about what she’s learned as she’s begun the long climb back to the top of the sport.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Look forward to a more comfortable return to typical or even slightly below-average temperatures this weekend and next week.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of typical
Adjective
  • The Jays will need many moments in the next month to turn this mediocre season into one worth remembering.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The mediocre screen was an unpleasant surprise given that this thing advertised 100 percent sRGB gamut coverage when it was announced and on its product page for many weeks (the Internet Archive captures it here).
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of mediocre
Adjective
  • That's the weakest average performance of any two-month period for the stock market benchmark.
    — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
  • At second and third base, his range (minus-12 outs above average) ranks in the league’s bottom first percentile.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of average
Adjective
  • Not ready for prime time The video-generation technology rarely gets the content right on its first try, Sun said, adding that her team takes at least 10 attempts to create a satisfactory 15-second clip.
    — Ling Wei, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The ride quality in my tester was more than satisfactory; a good thing given the infamous Atlanta traffic.
    — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of satisfactory

Browse Nearby Words

run off with
run-of-the-mill
run-of-the-mine
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Cite this Entry

“Run-of-the-mill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/run-of-the-mill. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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