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Definition of standardnext
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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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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
Brown has inquired about batch releases from San Onofre and learned that the quality of the wastewater is high, actually meeting drinking water standards. Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026 When violations occur and are reported, CPS takes prompt and appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including termination and referral to law enforcement, as required by law, while upholding the highest ethical standards. Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Screech owls need 3-inch entrance holes, making most standard birdhouses uninhabitable for them. Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026 The designer wrote his master’s thesis on wearables, foreseeing how smart clothing and other technologies could become part of daily life even before wireless technologies like Wifi and Bluetooth were standard. Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for standard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standard
Noun
  • Interest in marching in the parade was so intense that organizers implemented rigorous selection criteria like the quality of the horses’ grooming, saddles, tack, and the riders’ appearance.
    Patrick Salland, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Tesla shareholders have approved a conditional pay package for CEO Elon Musk that could unlock up to a trillion dollars in stock if the company meets specific criteria, according to preliminary results from the annual shareholder meeting.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • On Wednesday, numerous commemorations and tributes occurred in the devastated communities and throughout the city and county of Los Angeles —including flags flying at half-staff at City Hall, county buildings and at all state buildings.
    City News Service, Daily News, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The mission was to show the flag, explore commercial opportunities – including routes to supply gold-mining operations – and display a little firepower.
    Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Security guards are tangled in the middle of ICE, migrants, observers, activists and press as courthouse dynamics play out in this new normal in America.
    Carol Guzy, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
  • The surge of metal into the US pushed the London market into a full blown squeeze in October, and borrowing costs there still remain well above their normals levels of close to zero.
    Jack Ryan, Bloomberg, 29 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • The death of Amini in the custody of the morality police became a symbol of systemic repression, particularly against women.
    Washington Post, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Cami trying to bring morality to the oil industry sure sounds nice, but she would be eaten alive.
    William Earl, Variety, 4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • As usual, Coon thrives in ambiguity, layering a seemingly straightforward woman with depth.
    Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
  • As a result, Musick elected to bench her usual rotation for much of the second half.
    Ethan Westerman, Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The company intends to move away from the low-volume manufacturing typical of the aviation industry.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The project could also bypass typical rezoning requirements, allowing building to occur in agricultural and natural areas.
    Ryan Ballogg, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • That sentiment, while proclaimed in jest, captures a current appetite among many celebrities and fans alike to break away from conventional interviews in favor of more authentic and flavorful content.
    Yahya Salem, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Reports claimed that the KSOT is designed to provide a fast, efficient and effective solution to strengthen the Indonesia’s maritime combat capabilities, while complementing its existing fleet of conventional submarines.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Its benchmark report notes that even state-of-the-art tools can describe the right formula in words while misapplying it step by step.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2026
  • And because the world has more oil supply than demand, global crude prices are quite low; the global benchmark is a little over $60 per barrel.
    Camila Domonoske, NPR, 7 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Standard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standard. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

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