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
While firms have no doubt been following the progress of international regulations and the formation of new standards for years now, supply chain visibility positively plunges beyond Tier 1. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026 The airline said that cabins are regularly cleaned to a high standard. — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Because shipping prices depend on every ounce and inch, old habits like using a single carrier or standard packaging no longer work. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026 Right now yeast fermentation is the standard method of producing heme (as leghemoglobin), but the sterile environment and industrial equipment necessary for manufacturing can be pricey. — Lila Magbilang, Scientific American, 12 Oct. 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
  • For private schemes, the requirements include publicly available criteria, independent monitoring of compliance and procedures to withdraw or suspend a label when requirements are breached.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The government would license these groups and authorize them to test whether AI companies meet various safety criteria.
    — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of criterion
Noun
  • Williams was definitely letting her ex-vangelical freak flag fly on Monday night.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Selfie sticks dangle off every bridge, and tour groups shuffle behind guides waving flags.
    — Mary Holland, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of flag
Noun
  • The company has been very good about adjusting to the new normal too, which is great.
    — Marah Eakin, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Three years after Israel’s invasion, Gazans are tentatively building a new normal in the rubble of their old lives.
    — Ghada Abdulfattah, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of normal
Noun
  • Law & Courts A failed execution in Tennessee and plans to livestream a firing squad are recharging America’s death penalty debate, raising questions about morality and justice.
    — Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The novel explores free will, fate, and morality, and was famously adapted into a classic film by Stanley Kubrick in 1971.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of morality
Adjective
  • The Sagittarius Moon opposes Uranus, making a public responsibility, schedule, or household plan less predictable than usual.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
  • This is Kerry’s usual spiel at the beginning of a season; historically, the bravado lets up over time.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of usual
Adjective
  • Between 50 and 60 visitors will make the trek out there on a typical day, according to David Boyd, public information officer for the White River National Forest.
    — The Aspen Times, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The distillery expanded into wood finishing with the launch of Maker’s 46 in 2010, but this wasn’t your typical cask-finished whiskey.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of typical
Adjective
  • On the contrary, airpower remains the most potent piece of the United States’ conventional forces, as well as its main source of both deterrent capacity and warfighting advantage against conventional aggression by hostile states.
    — Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Alongside these are conventional effects plugins covering reverb, delay, chorus, compression, EQ, distortion/saturation, and pitch shifting.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of conventional
Noun
  • The underlying problem for the court seemed to be the lack of a benchmark.
    — Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In China, India, Korea and Southeast Asia, sponsorship spending as a share of GDP trails the worldwide benchmark.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 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 15 Oct. 2026.

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