standard 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
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

2 of 2

adjective

1
2
3

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?

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
No, but really, the military has relaxed some of their standards around aesthetics or other standards that kept some qualified people out, like tattoos. Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 7 Mar. 2026 The chicharrons serve as the tortilla chips in these nachos that are pretty spicy by theme park standards. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Under standard procedure, DHS had 90 days to respond to the report with a corrective action plan. Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026 The first step, experts say, is saturating the skin with an essence (similar to a traditional toner) to boost moisture retention, followed by an emulsion in place of a standard moisturizer. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for standard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standard
Noun
  • Depending on your criteria, the 19-year-old actor has starred in or appeared in as many as 14 projects involving established IP.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Mar. 2026
  • The restaurants were selected by members of the Courier Journal newsroom based on various criteria, including taste, texture, cheese and topping to chip (or tot) ratio, creativity, flavor, and more.
    Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Russian athletes will compete under their own flag at the Paralympics for the first time in more than a decade, and the country’s national anthem could be played for gold medalists for the first time on the stage of a major global sporting event since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
    Tales Azzoni, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Iran’s armed forces denied launching drones at Azerbaijan and suggested the incident may have been a false-flag operation by Israel.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • With a $80K base price – the new normal in this SUV category – the 2026 Nissan Armada is ready to ride.
    Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026
  • With a $80K base price – the new normal in this SUV category – the 2026 Nissan Armada is ready to ride.
    Marc D. Grasso, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Iran's morality police arrested a 22-year-old woman, accusing her of failing to cover her hair.
    Scott Pelley, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Inspired by the sci-fi and fantasy stories that helped her escape from reality during those early years in the US, her writing often explores morality and relationships in hypothetical, fantastical worlds.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But as Israel closed checkpoints to the movement of people and goods on Saturday, gas stations saw longer-than-usual lines as residents filled spare canisters in case of supply disruptions.
    CLAUDIA CIOBANU, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Everyone’s hearts are closer to the surface than usual, so being tolerant of one another’s idiosyncrasies could be necessary to avoid strife.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Supreme Court seemed likely Monday to loosen a federal law that bars marijuana users from owning guns in a case that crossed typical political lines.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
  • And the median career length of a typical MLB player is just three years.
    Paul Bledsoe, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Powered by four jet engines, the B-2 can carry conventional or nuclear weapons, with intercontinental range and aerial refueling.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
  • It is built by Raytheon, a unit of RTX, and carries a conventional warhead.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • To date, the device has met a key performance benchmark, with an average effective stiffness of 5 kN/mm over small displacements.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Optimism in the country has been growing for a number of years as Japan embraced corporate governance reforms, but the benchmark rallied to fresh all-time highs this year following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s victory.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Standard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standard. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on standard

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster