1
as in conventional
accepted, used, or practiced by most people
that's not the usual method, but it works
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in normal
being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events
the characters in this novel are drawn with greater depth than is usual for a work of science fiction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ubiquitous
often observed or encountered
the usual reaction to the sight of the falls is one of absolute awe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in ordinary
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of usual
Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
Too Late Everyone occasionally goes to bed later than usual, and your body can recover from an occasional poor night’s sleep.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 8 Jan. 2026
Aria Bendix, NBC News, 26 Aug. 2022
On the first day back, Evans ordered his usual: a single cheeseburger, fries and a Coke.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2022
See All Example Sentences for usual
Adjective
Against odds that could have crushed the season, including low consumer confidence and lower-than-usual inventory levels, Adobe Analytics identified several trends that set 2025’s holiday season apart—and drove such robust online spending.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
Too Late Everyone occasionally goes to bed later than usual, and your body can recover from an occasional poor night’s sleep.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
Ebonē Colbert ordered her usual on her weekly trip to Wendy's with her son: a kid’s meal with a plain cheeseburger for him and a Dave’s Single, a burger topped with lettuce and tomato, for herself.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 26 Aug. 2022
On the first day back, Evans ordered his usual: a single cheeseburger, fries and a Coke.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2022
See All Example Sentences for usual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usual
Adjective
-
Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries that falter under heat, thermal batteries use molten salts as electrolytes, which become ionically conductive only when heated.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
-
They are hidden from conventional daylight.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This single fine is close to the normal total of $8 million to $10 million in all fines that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration hands out each year.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Trump, as is his want, is just doing the normal thing without the usual white niceties that come with imperialist machinations.—
Elie Mystal,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Reticles with some type of grid using hashmarks or dots have become ubiquitous.—
John B. Snow,
Outdoor Life,
15 Jan. 2026
-
These images were ubiquitous, and many people—and multiple organizations, including the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network and the European Commission—pointed out that the feature was being used to harass women and exploit children.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
At first glance, there was nothing out of the ordinary about Saturday’s wind forecast for Camas Prairie, Idaho.—
Ruby Mellen,
Washington Post,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Chelsea have had their fair share of entertainers since making their debut in the tournament — the individuals who can just do something out of the ordinary to make everyone realise they are being treated to a game at the highest level.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The deal is expected to be completed in the next two months, subject to customary closing conditions.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
19 Jan. 2026
-
Though he had been given the surnames of both his parents—Ramírez and Sánchez—as was customary in Venezuela, his first name had been chosen by his father, a successful lawyer with strong left-wing views for whom Lenin was a hero.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 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
-
Fishbach’s debut novel is set in familiar terrain for him.—
Michael Schaub,
Oc Register,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Those who know the victim described him as a familiar and well‑liked presence in the neighborhood.—
Anna McAllister,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Coupang has also been facing pressure from regulators since 2024, when it was fined more than $100 million for allegedly violating the country’s monopoly rules.—
Fred Imbert,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
-
In response to the San Bruno tragedy, the California Public Utilities Commission, which is investigating the latest explosion, began fining gas companies and utilities for violating state and federal gas safety rules.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Usual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usual. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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