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average

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noun

as in norm
what is typical of a group, class, or series my cat's a cut above the average when it comes to being a finicky eater

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

average

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word average distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of average are mean, median, and norm. While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures.

scored an average of 85 on tests

When can mean be used instead of average?

The words mean and average are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes.

a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°

In what contexts can median take the place of average?

While the synonyms median and average are close in meaning, median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below.

average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars

Where would norm be a reasonable alternative to average?

In some situations, the words norm and average are roughly equivalent. However, norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade.

scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

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 average
Adjective
Related article Tracking measles cases in the United States But the current measles situation in the US is far from average. Neha Mukherjee, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025 Cost to customers Those costs can pile up quickly as the average storm can consume over 800 man hours of work restoring power to customers. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
The league said an average of 12 old-school measurements were made during each week of the regular season. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 2025 Martinez’s average of a clean sheet every three matches has fallen sharply, keeping only 15 more in the following 72 games before Villa’s Tuesday night trip to Selhurst Park — roughly an average of one every five matches. Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
Giovanni Contreras, who averages 20.3 points a game for Chula Vista, was scoreless in the first half. San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025 Enright is averaging 21 points and 11 rebounds in the playoffs. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for average
Recent Examples of Synonyms for average
Adjective
  • The median nightly price per person for a vacation rental in Avila Beach is $124, according to HomeToGo.
    Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The median price for a home in the U.S. in January 2025 was $418,489, according to Redfin.
    Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The Islanders filled up Nassau Coliseum one more time in the spring of 2021, when another delirious run to the semis provided the backdrop and the soundtrack as life seemed to return to normal.
    Jerry Beach, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Veterans Affairs benefits, including pensions and disability checks, would also continue as normal under a shutdown.
    Nik Popli, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Starbucks's Revolving Door Of CEOs Has Impacted Performance Starbucks’ management team has changed leadership four times in five years, leading to difficulty for the company to keep its typical strong financial performance year-over-year.
    Shelley E. Kohan, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The drink resembles a typical chai, but the topping is where the drink gets its fruity flavor.
    Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • All of his hits are off right-handers, which is counter to his career norms.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Afternoon temperatures are close to seasonal norms despite the arrival of a cold front.
    Garfield Hylton, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Innovative, high-performing teams understand the need for a clear goal, data to measure progress along the way—and a process that periodically pauses to ensure the two are in alignment.
    Jodi Euerle Eddy, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • One white pine in Belden Forest has been measured to be 144 feet tall, one of the tallest measured in the state, according to the OGFN.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • To equalize the American workplace so that gig/independent contractors and legacy employment are equal.
    Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
  • State funding rarely equalizes these disparities adequately.
    Linda Darling-Hammond, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • These are taxed at different (typically lower) rates than ordinary income.
    Heather L. Locus, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Experts will appreciate them; ordinary users can ignore them.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Actors, the company said, will be paid standard industry rates to voice all dialogue in every script.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2025
  • This in and of itself seems standard fare for a business choice like this.
    Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 4 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Average.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/average. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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