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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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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
The Postal Service could then refuse to send out ballots that do not comply with the new standards or are associated with voters who do not appear on the lists. — Andrew Chung, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026 The start-line bike appears to feature a 19-inch front wheel rather than the 21-inch wheel standard on the off-road Rally series. — New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2026
Adjective
Eventually, an initially obscure idea can become part of standard mathematical education. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2026 Sanders, meanwhile, introduced legislation in the Senate in 2024 seeking to lower the standard workweek. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 11 Sep. 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
  • Maximum temperatures are expected in the upper 80s and lower 90s with peak heat indices reaching 100-107 degrees ahead of daily storms, but below heat advisory criteria.
    — Felix Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The order gives Interior Secretary Doug Burgum 90 days to determine whether the wolves have met federal recovery criteria for delisting or downlisting under the Endangered Species Act.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of criterion
Noun
  • In the bleachers, members of the Bleacher Creatures unfurl and display an American flag, and it’s usually shown on the big scoreboard screen in center field.
    — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Earlier, in a downpour at daybreak, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and top military officials stood outside and watched as a giant American flag was unfurled on the building struck by one of those planes a quarter-century ago.
    — Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of flag
Noun
  • Our extended winter weather forecasts emphasize temperature and precipitation deviations from averages, or normals.
    — Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • But with climate change, the pace of this July’s flash flooding, and that of the past two years, may just be the new normal for mid-summer.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
Definition of normal
Noun
  • The McLuhanite in me wants to stick to the first interpretation, in which the apparent shift in shame is a matter of morality getting funnelled through a new medium.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Swift was born into the Anglo-Irish Protestant elite, and the text satires both the callousness of his class and a then-ascendant approach to morality and politics that held that all aspects of life could be cooked down to a pure numerical value.
    — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of morality
Adjective
  • There will be three races held in the United States once again, each retaining their usual date slots.
    — Luke Smith, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • To Diana, who has taken over First Desk at the Park after last season’s events, River’s refusal to take bereavement leave gives her license to speak about his grandfather’s funeral arrangements with her usual cool formality.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of usual
Adjective
  • In typical Zheng fashion, she’s been upfront about what she’s learned as she’s begun the long climb back to the top of the sport.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Look forward to a more comfortable return to typical or even slightly below-average temperatures this weekend and next week.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of typical
Adjective
  • That approach could transform the concept from a conventional tank into an autonomous, high-power battlefield platform.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Warranty obligations, supply chain disruption, contractual risks, reputational costs and other company-specific exposures may come with limited capacity, restrictive terms or pricing that makes conventional transfer unattractive.
    — Randy Sadler, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of conventional
Noun
  • Before the law went into effect in October 2024, the state Department of Public Health specified in a memo to hospital administrators that each hospital department must comply with the 80% benchmark.
    — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Labor Day Weekend Headphones Deals The Bose QuietComfort headphones remain the industry benchmark for silencing everyday distractions.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 2026.

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