standard 1 of 2

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

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 council also added development standards for these areas while amending its local coastal plan to be consistent with the planned residential additions. Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 6 June 2025 The seven-year time frame is also short by the alliance's usual standards. Arkansas Online, 6 June 2025
Adjective
Since, the Air Jordan 4 RM has been released in dozens of inline styles, offering consumers a more accessible alternative to the standard Air Jordan 4 Retro. Riley Jones, Footwear News, 7 June 2025 Morning choices include a classic buffet with standard fare, such as an omelette station, fresh fruit, and local cheeses. Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for standard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standard
Noun
  • Crucially, what matters—the criteria for selection, on which continued evolution depends—also changes, plotting a wholly novel course.
    Philip Ball, Wired News, 8 June 2025
  • Washington State Patrol issued an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA) alert for the girls on May 31 after authorities found criteria wasn't met for an Amber Alert.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 8 June 2025
Noun
  • Many of the supporters, who included a 12-year-old girl dressed as the president, donned pro-Trump t-shirts and other attire, waving American flags to catch the attention of passersby, some of whom slammed on their horns in solidarity.
    Shanzeh Ahmad, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
  • Together the pair had celebrated by planting a Barcelona flag in the middle of the pitch, a moment and an image that has taken on extra significance since Xana’s death six years ago.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • For McClain, a colonel and Master Army aviator, that means adapting to a new normal of living and working in space.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 18 May 2025
  • The movie’s over-all arc is a common one: from the unquestioned routines of daily life to the strange new normal of risks and precautions, fears and constraints, illness and deaths; from there to an eventual sense of wary relief.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • To catch up on his late rent, Winston talks himself into a job at We Deliver, a transportation company with a colorful clientele whose requests can’t help but loosen one’s morality.
    The New York Times, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • With childhood increasingly recognized as a distinct stage of life and education in the later nineteenth century, school texts and children’s books were one way to suggest to children a certain sort of morality and social grounding.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • New customers in eligible states can complete these steps to make a larger bet than usual on horse racing: Create an account through the links on this page to activate the best FanDuel promo code offer for the Belmont Stakes.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
  • Georgia is awaiting her murder trial, Ginny faces teen pregnancy and their relationship is going through its usual ups and downs.
    Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • This choice allows the plants to make maximum use of the soil's water and nutrients resources, particularly important in the poor soils and arid climates typical of Apulia.
    Elisabetta Tosi, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • Bacalao is served in all manner of dishes; one of the most popular is with pil-pil sauce, made of olive oil, garlic and the juice of the fish, and typical in the Basque Country.
    Jon Yeomans, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • The image - more grainy than conventional high-resolution photographs and in black and white - appears to show the debris of several aircraft located along the runway of the Belaya military air base or parked in protective revetments nearby.
    Tom Balmforth, USA Today, 5 June 2025
  • For more details on the nature of conventional AI versus AGI and ASI, see my analysis at the link here.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • PwC’s recent executive playbook on agentic AI emphasizes that early adopters of AI set industry benchmarks, gain first-mover advantage, streamline operations, and create barriers to entry through deep integration.
    Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
  • In energy trading early Friday, U.S. benchmark crude oil lost 7 cents to $63.30 per barrel.
    Matt Ott, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Standard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standard. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.

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!