STANDARD Synonyms: 225 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

standard 1 of 2

noun

ˈstan-dərd

Definition of standard next

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

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in flag

a piece of cloth with a special design that is used as an emblem or for signaling a ship flying the queen's standard

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as in normal

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

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as in morality

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

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standard

2 of 2

adjective

as in usual

being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events a standard bandage is all that that wound needs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in typical

having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind he's pretty much your standard high-school jock

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in conventional

accepted, used, or practiced by most people standard procedure

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

How does the noun standard contrast with its synonyms?

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?

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

Issued by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, the regulation outlines the standards and procedures for municipalities that adopt Starter Home Zoning Districts to qualify for state incentive payments. —

Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026 The state has among the most stringent protections in the nation and was the first to adopt an outdoor heat standard in 2005. —

Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 21 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Prices are typically quoted per troy ounce, which is slightly heavier than a standard ounce. —

Usa Today, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026 The Justice Department’s antitrust division shortened the standard 30-day waiting period and then notified the broadcast companies, a department spokesman confirmed. —

Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for standard

Recent Examples of Synonyms for standard

Noun

Four Democrats running for governor called on their fellow candidates to boycott an upcoming debate at USC, reiterating concerns that the criteria used to determine who was invited to participate resulted in every prominent candidate of color being excluded from the forum.

— Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Last month, the Vatican bank announced two equity benchmarks that conform to ethical Catholic criteria and are aimed at serving as a reference for Catholic investments globally.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026

Definition of criterion

Cite this Entry

Style

“Standard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standard. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.

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Last Updated: 24 Mar 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of standard

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Synonyms of standard

noun

adjective

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