standard 1 of 2

noun

ˈstan-dərd How to pronounce standard (audio)
Definition of standardnext
1
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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2
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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3
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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4
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

1
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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2
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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3
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

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
This lofty standard of play clearly doesn’t scare Belgium, which is on a surging trajectory of its own heading into the teams’ World Cup quarterfinal match on Friday. — ABC News, 9 July 2026 As ethical standards evolve and repatriation laws tighten, ethnographic museums worldwide are increasingly removing human remains from public display. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 July 2026
Adjective
In the city of Sacramento, a standard medium-size municipal garbage bin is 64 gallons. — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026 Adding complex investments like private equity or hedge funds as a standard part of the mix would be a sea change. — Paul Kiel, ProPublica, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for standard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standard
  1. criterion
  2. flag
  3. normal
  4. morality
  5. usual
  6. typical
  7. conventional
  8. benchmark
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
  • Anders Røberg-Larsen, mayor of Grorud, a district in Oslo, Norway, carried a Norwegian flag over the crowd.
    — Delia Rose Sauer, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
  • Israeli tanks maneuver around new military posts marked by towering Israeli flags within eyesight of Palestinians in al-Shujaiya.
    — Aya Batrawy, NPR, 10 July 2026
Definition of flag
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
  • Expect plenty of action, interpersonal tensions and philosophical dilemmas around destiny and morality.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • In an interview, Worner said that while saints are ultimately mortal and therefore not perfect, there is a certain criterion of morality decided by a multitude of individuals.
    — Vivian Wilson, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026
Definition of morality
Adjective
  • The announcement came with all the usual comparisons to the big foundation models against benchmarks that provide some vague sense of capability.
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 10 July 2026
  • The American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament returned to the shores of Lake Tahoe on Friday with its usual assortment of sports and entertainment celebrities and tens of thousands of enthusiastic fans.
    — José Luis Villegas, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of usual
Adjective
  • Before the war, a typical day would see around 100 commercial vessels pass through.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • In a break with soccer protocol, the 11-minute set is reportedly due to extend the typical 15 minute half-time break, with a new half-time of up to 30 minutes.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 July 2026
Definition of typical
Adjective
  • However, much of the talk seems to be about how many players miss them, and how much better the conventional type are.
    — Geir Jordet, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • By the end of the night, the room full of sweaty bodies was left basking in the gift of Madonna, feeling just one small sliver of a wider moment that has gone on to completely transcend conventional pop expectation.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Definition of conventional
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

Phrases Containing standard

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stand-alone
standard
standard-bearer
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Cite this Entry

“Standard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standard. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of standard for Spanish Speakers

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