standard 1 of 2

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as in criterion
something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared the animation in that movie set the standard against which all later animated cartoons were judged

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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3
as in normal
what is typical of a group, class, or series somewhat shorter than the standard for boys that age

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in morality
standards plural the code of good conduct for an individual or group a life guided by high standards

Synonyms & Similar Words

standard

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adjective

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun standard contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of standard are criterion, gauge, touchstone, and yardstick. While all these words mean "a means of determining what a thing should be," standard applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority.

standards of behavior

In what contexts can criterion take the place of standard?

The meanings of criterion and standard largely overlap; however, criterion may apply to anything used as a test of quality whether formulated as a rule or principle or not.

questioned the critic's criteria for excellence

When can gauge be used instead of standard?

While the synonyms gauge and standard are close in meaning, gauge applies to a means of testing a particular dimension (such as thickness, depth, diameter) or figuratively a particular quality or aspect.

polls as a gauge of voter dissatisfaction

When could touchstone be used to replace standard?

While in some cases nearly identical to standard, touchstone suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible.

fine service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant

How are the words yardstick and criterion related as synonyms of standard?

Yardstick is an informal substitute for criterion that suggests quantity more often than quality.

housing construction as a yardstick of economic growth

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 standard
Noun
Lower standards help first-generation college students and others who might arrive on campus with less traditional academic preparation. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025 The label operates over 70 stores internationally and participates in sustainability programs such as Fabrics of the Future and circular design initiatives, underscoring its B-Corp certification and transparency standards. Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Our research suggests that boards should insist leaders prepare for crisis communications as a standard part of risk management. Prachi Gala, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025 These unforeseen obstacles were in addition to the more standard challenges a team must surmount over the course of a season, like missing players to red card suspensions — but even then, Racing was forced to hold a tough hand. Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for standard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standard
Noun
  • The fatality review team, which includes The Archway, Fort Worth and Arlington police, the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, local hospitals, and the medical examiner’s office, among others, reviewed 20 cases from 2024 and determined that 11 met the criteria, Jacob said.
    Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025
  • In practice, that means if a user is searching for a stay in a particular area with certain criteria that isn’t available, Airbnb will now suggest other rentals with similar prices and amenities in nearby areas.
    Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Godard’s ode to American movies that required only a girl and a gun begat freak-flag-flying films like Slacker, which begat Linklater’s career, characterized by him following his own muse.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Following her passing, flags will be flown at half-mast for 30 days at government offices, state enterprises, and educational institutions, and government officials have been asked to wear mourning attire for a year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
    Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The new normal is forgetting yesterday’s scandals in order to make room in our overcrowded brains for tomorrow’s.
    Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Otherwise, things should be mainly dry with temperatures close to seasonal normals.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But the director manages to spin a clever modern-day morality tale mixing art, social class and big bucks.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Your arrest record, your credit score, your driving history, your rental history — are all just measurements of morality that people use to establish a trust matrix about you.
    Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The team's usual coach, JP MacCallum, took time off after his 10-year-old daughter, Selah, died of cancer, per Marchand's Instagram post.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Blank sailings have only gotten more prevalent as ocean carriers aimed to stop months of declines in freight rates after a softer-than-usual peak shipping season.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • All are dressed in period garb — Clarkson in a gorgeous gown and her band, My Band Y’all, led by musical director and keyboardist Jason Halbert, in formal white dinner jackets typical of musical acts at the time.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Alternatives to typical iron supplements to consider include intravenous (IV) iron, slow-release oral iron tablets, and dietary iron.
    Emmanuella Ogbonna, Health, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The sector’s climate impact has made decarbonization a priority, and SAF is considered one of the most viable alternatives to conventional jet fuel.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
  • His own composer as usual, Amenabar here tends to underline the film’s shortcomings, rather than elevate its idiosyncrasies with an original score that’s too conventional by half.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This global temperature benchmark was meant to create a guardrail to protect the world from the dangerous effects of warming.
    Simmone Shah, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
  • New Mexico typically ranks either last or close to it among states in other benchmarks for child well-being—like education.
    Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Standard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standard. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

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