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

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
Even the entry categories are very spacious by city standards and feature a classic décor of Louis XV-style furnishings, sedate color schemes, and (in most) terraces or balconies. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026 Danantara’s role is to help structure these partnerships—bringing in global capital while ensuring that projects meet higher standards of accountability, deliver long-term value, and strengthen Indonesia’s position in strategic industries. —Pandu Sjahrir, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Long gone are the days of finding the playoffs on one or two standard over-the-air networks or even on cable. —Ajc Sports, AJC.com, 17 Apr. 2026 The Hurricanes’ spring game will not be a standard football game. —Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 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
  • The study is examining whether portions of the coastline meet criteria for national park designation, including significance, suitability and feasibility, along with the need for National Park Service management.
    — City News Service, Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
  • During this time, the IRS reviews your financial information and determines whether your offer meets its approval criteria.
    — Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Definition of criterion
Noun
  • The area was gridlocked with traffic, with people coming back to check on their homes and Hezbollah supporters zooming on scooters, waving the group’s flag.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Seen from behind, the gown descended into a waterfall drapery with overlapping layers of white and green satin—a tribute to the colors of the Pakistani flag.
    — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of flag
Noun
  • Roberts had yet to figure out a new normal for the top of the batting order without Betts.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
  • With snowfall 60% below normal for the season through February in its home state of Colorado and low in neighboring Utah, Vail has seen skiers and snowboarders stay away in droves.
    — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of normal
Noun
  • Freed from all the entanglements that come with having to launch a ground invasion, air war can overfly not just morality and law but arguments, rationales, the calibration of risks to rewards and of suffering to satisfaction.
    — Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026
  • This split makes reason, self-knowledge and morality possible.
    — Ross Channing Reed, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
Definition of morality
Adjective
  • Here, in this new context, their large eyes did not seem wide with their usual wonder but swollen with grief and disbelief.
    — Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
  • The critical shipping route, responsible for moving a significant share of the world’s oil, has slowed to a fraction of its usual volume amid the war.
    — Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 12 Apr. 2026
Definition of usual
Adjective
  • Panthers coach Paul Maurice said Florida didn't want to pay any homage to Quick during the game, so as not to disrupt the goalie's typical routines.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
  • The proliferation of letters in the New Testament is also typical of second-century literary activity; letters written as rhetorical models, using the epistolary form as an intimate vehicle for argument, are everywhere in the later period.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Definition of typical
Adjective
  • But Jude’s subsequent movies have gone in a less conventional direction.
    — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • However, the party piece is that the air trapped under the wing creates a high-pressure cushion effect with a lift-to-drag ratio beyond that of a conventional aircraft.
    — David Szondy April 13, New Atlas, 13 Apr. 2026
Definition of conventional
Noun
  • The operation shattered Hezbollah's communications network and became the benchmark in Israel for a strike that fundamentally changed the battlefield.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The company is working to improve safety and reasoning through benchmarks that guide how robots should behave in real-world scenarios.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Apr. 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 19 Apr. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of standard for Spanish Speakers

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