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noun

as in average
what is typical of a group, class, or series a temperature chart showing the normals and extremes for various regions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective normal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of normal are natural, regular, and typical. While all these words mean "being of the sort or kind that is expected as usual, ordinary, or average," 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

In what contexts can natural take the place of normal?

The meanings of natural and normal largely overlap; however, 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 is regular a more appropriate choice than normal?

While in some cases nearly identical to normal, regular stresses conformity to a rule, standard, or pattern.

the club's regular monthly meeting

When might typical be a better fit than normal?

The words typical and normal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, typical implies showing all important traits of a type, class, or group and may suggest lack of strong individuality.

a typical small town

Examples 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 normal
Adjective
Austin cold front brings strong winds, damage With gusts reaching up to 59 mph, howling winds have mostly moved on, with conditions returning to normal in Austin ahead of anticipated winter weather next week. Hogan Gore, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024 Locations will be open during normal business hours on Black Friday. Cailey Gleeson, Journal Sentinel, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
The feeling of being utterly overwhelmed appears to be the new normal for leaders around the world. Martin Gutmann, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 Late Friday evening, or possibly overnight into Saturday, another cold front will send temperatures back to mid-October normals. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for normal 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for normal
Adjective
  • The company is not a party to any material legal proceedings outside the ordinary course of business.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
  • One ordinary morning, coming home from walking her dog, Lenù finds in her mailbox a package wrapped with newspaper.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The threats Hamas and Hezbollah posed to Israel allowed Iran to exert power across the region while holding Israelis indirectly at risk, which—combined with Israel’s deterrence in the form of its superior military power—produced a stable equilibrium.
    Carrie A. Lee, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
  • Underfoot, the flexible sole provides unobtrusive support and a stable, comfortable platform without drawing attention to itself.
    The Editors, Outside Online, 18 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Aside from the fight being eight two-minute rounds, both the men will wear heavier 14-ounce gloves instead of the typical 10-ounce gloves.
    Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
  • The guidelines vary by region, according to the typical climate each region has.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • That's down from an average of 7.67% on the morning of Sept. 18.
    Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
  • According to our final polling averages, the margin between Trump and Harris is 2.1 percentage points or fewer in all seven swing states.
    G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The smaller sensors means less light intake, so all four lenses require night mode more than usual.
    Ben Sin, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Another risk is getting worse sleep than usual, which affects mood, alertness, and performance the next day.
    Matt Fuchs, TIME, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • And so The Diplomat sets the stage for Wyler to be schooled, over and over, by Penn and her reactionary doctrine through the end of the season, a dynamic that with each scene reveals how little the series has done to make Wyler a lucid character of her own.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
  • With his understanding and lucid analysis of great-power politics, Hal, a professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, offers invaluable insights to everyone committed to deterring aggression and maintaining peace.
    John Cornyn, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Paul and Tyson will fight in eight two-minute rounds rather than the standard 10-12 rounds at three minutes each.
    Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
  • For individuals who take the standard deduction, QCDs are an excellent way to gain a tax benefit from charitable giving without itemizing.
    James Brewer, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The movement caused a seismic shift in cultural norms, especially in fashion, for decades.
    Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Sourcing Journal, 4 Nov. 2024
  • During the Trump presidency, this media consumption divide became a chasm as national news organizations sought to scrutinize his administration and its backsliding on democratic norms.
    Simon Montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near normal

Cite this Entry

“Normal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/normal. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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