AVERAGE Synonyms: 203 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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°

Q: 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

Q: 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

average 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of average next

as in median

being about midway between extremes of amount or size since a Chihuahua seems as impractical as a Saint Bernard, let's get a dog of more average dimensions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in normal

being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events just an average day at the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in typical

having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind the company's marketing people want to interview average teenagers to see what kinds of clothes appeal to them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

average

2 of 3

noun

ˈa-v(ə-)rij

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

3 of 3

verb

as in to measure

Related Words

as in to equalize

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

The 3% drop in oil revenues during the period was partly due to low average prices in the first two months of the year, as well as standard payment lags. —

Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 14 May 2026 Those ratings create an estimate of how many goals each team is expected to score and allow in a game against an average opponent at a neutral site. —

Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 14 May 2026

Noun

The galaxy is a major hub for star formation, producing new stars at a rate around 10 times greater than the average seen in the Andromeda galaxy, according to NASA. —

Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 15 May 2026 The same applies to hybrid and plug-in hybrid owners, who are already on the lower end of fuel consumption averages. —

Chris Teague, AJC.com, 15 May 2026

Verb

BillKarma’s 2026 pricing data shows hospital outpatient departments average $3,000 to $6,000, while freestanding imaging centers often run $1,500 to $2,800 for the identical scan. —

Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026 Take twenty separate pinches of salt, weigh each one, and average them to determine the size of your personal pinch. —

Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for average

Recent Examples of Synonyms for average

Adjective

In 2024, the median home price in California topped $800,000, which is double the national median.

— James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Mamdani intends to cut the median time for approvals from 210 to to 100 days via a mix of simplifying income verification, speeding up the process for lottery winners to be selected, and streamlining the applications, among other things.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026

Definition of median

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aver

average

averaged

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“Average.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/average. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of average

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verb

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