Definition of typicalnext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective typical differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of typical are natural, normal, and regular. While all these words mean "being of the sort or kind that is expected as usual, ordinary, or average," typical implies showing all important traits of a type, class, or group and may suggest lack of strong individuality.

a typical small town

When is it sensible to use natural instead of typical?

While in some cases nearly identical to typical, natural applies to what conforms to a thing's essential nature, function, or mode of being.

the natural love of a mother for her child

When can normal be used instead of typical?

The words normal and typical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, normal implies lack of deviation from what has been discovered or established as the most usual or expected.

normal behavior for a two-year-old

When would regular be a good substitute for typical?

The words regular and typical can be used in similar contexts, but regular stresses conformity to a rule, standard, or pattern.

the club's regular monthly meeting

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 typical In a typical math paper, lemmas — simpler results that help build toward the proof of a larger theorem — might be about 20 lines long, but for the PFR formalization, Tao broke the proof down into five-line lemmas. Quanta Magazine, 8 June 2026 The Flaws are the typical employees of a German government office – quiet, obedient and spectacularly bad at their jobs. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 June 2026 At 112,162 square feet, the Ballantyne Wegmans is more than double the size of typical Harris Teeter and Publix stores in the Charlotte market. Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026 While these effects are typical of large construction projects, they can be amplified when several data centers are clustered together. Ed Maibach, The Conversation, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for typical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for typical
Adjective
  • Now that the garden is complete aside from normal plant replacements, Sterman recognizes it as the expression of her own evolution and growth as a garden designer as well as changing views on waterwise gardening.
    Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2026
  • The West Coast is also bracing for rising temperatures, with highs climbing to 10 to 25 degrees above normal this weekend.
    Christine Rapp, NBC news, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • The gulf between their two worlds is wide, and Jude straddles it with wide-ranging intellect and his characteristic impish wit, while also telling a surprisingly heartfelt story about the lengths to which a mother will go for love.
    Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 11 June 2026
  • Ecology remained characteristic of her approach, but Carson now broadened her aims to encompass a mobilization of public opinion equal to the task of addressing the widespread harms of chemical pesticides in everyday life and agricultural ecosystems alike.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Adjective
  • Conversely, the department said its review of medical school admissions data from 2023 to 2025 found that 93% of white and certain Asian applicants had MCAT scores at or above those of the average Black student.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
  • In 2012, the average American adult shifted focus after 74 seconds; today, that’s down to 47 seconds.
    Christian Perry, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler play a central role in American independent cinema, championing bold, ambitious and distinctive storytelling.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026
  • Her distinctive voice has been Widowspeak’s emblem since the band first emerged, warbled like Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval over CB radio.
    Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • Over the last few years, the world of emissions standard setting has become increasingly contentious, so much so that even a few words can trigger a fight about whether companies are getting off the hook or being held to account.
    Justin Worland, Time, 12 June 2026
  • For energy and recovery, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and hsCRP often reveal issues years before standard labs.
    Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • The OneXPlayer 3 is also distinct beyond the display.
    Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 14 June 2026
  • Nonbank lenders, private credit firms, insurers, and fintechs — all fast-growing users of AI with distinct regulatory environments — get thin coverage.
    Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Adjective
  • Cynthia goes down the list of people Shamea is clashing with and, as usual, all roads lead to Porsha.
    Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 15 June 2026
  • The scramble as the deadline approached was more intense than usual this year because of the state’s new congressional districts, which upended the careers of incumbents and opened opportunities for a slew of other hopefuls.
    Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2026
Adjective
  • Attleboro managed a two-out walk but Salerno limited any true damage in the top of the eighth.
    Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026
  • Huang pitched herself as the true progressive in the race, saying Raman had drifted too close to the middle during her time on council.
    Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Typical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/typical. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.

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