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

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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 Newcastle United do not do run-of-the-mill summer windows anymore. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Powerless even against the most run-of-the-mill villains, the men casually harassing her at the diner. — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026 Life had changed drastically for all of them, naturally — there were now dealing with mortgages, children, marital strife, health issues, and your run-of-the-mill middle-age malaise. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2026 This group includes many of our run-of-the-mill garden weeds. — Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Aug. 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
  • The prototype was tested on one construction worker during normal activities, including movement, breaks, drinking water and eating.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In a normal year, most MLB teams would already be looking toward next year at this point in the season, as only a few teams remain alive.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, and early withdrawals may face penalties unless they’re used for qualifying expenses such as education or a first home, so families should review the tax rules before deciding how to use the money.
    — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The filmmakers bill it as a film less about cracking a murder than about the ordinary days that come after a devastating loss.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of ordinary
Adjective
  • The products were Park Hyatt’s usual—delicious-smelling La Labo toiletries.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • There’s deals on makeup, too, like the Ilia Limitless Mascara at 20% off for just $23 compared to its usual $30.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of usual
Adjective
  • While the price can be inhibiting for some — with chef pants priced as high as $190 and jackets as much as $210, the price of a decent knife or other cooking tools — Argoti feels the heavy usage justifies the cost for him.
    — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The other was a decent man constantly being tormented by God in order to test his faith.
    — Chuck Lorre, Vanity Fair, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of decent
Adjective
  • Between 50 and 60 visitors will make the trek out there on a typical day, according to David Boyd, public information officer for the White River National Forest.
    — The Aspen Times, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The distillery expanded into wood finishing with the launch of Maker’s 46 in 2010, but this wasn’t your typical cask-finished whiskey.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of typical
Adjective
  • Jon Stewart set his sights on AI on the latest episode of The Daily Show, unpacking the threats posed by the technology and Donald Trump‘s mediocre reaction.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
  • On paper, the Brewers will pose a significantly tougher challenge than the Chicago Cubs’ mediocre staff.
    — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of mediocre
Adjective
  • The Southern Taurids have an average zenithal hourly rate of about five meteors per hour.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The average hurricane is about 300 miles (482 kilometers) wide, but hurricanes – or typhoons, as they’re called in the western Pacific of the Northern Hemisphere – can be much bigger or smaller.
    — Zachary Handlos, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of average
Adjective
  • An uninterrupted trip Stoliker thinks chaos is not a satisfactory explanation for psychedelics’ effect on the brain.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026
  • After months of negotiations failed to yield a satisfactory agreement, the union approved strike action earlier this month in a vote held in tandem with unions at the Brooklyn Museum and American Folk Art Museum.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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