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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to equalize

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 average

Adjective

An average international roundtrip is $1,630 — 13% more expensive. —

Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 23 Dec. 2024 Temperatures across much of the nation on Christmas are, for the most part, forecast to be 5 to 15 degrees above average for the West, Midwest and South. —

Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 22 Dec. 2024

Noun

By the numbers: California's overall on-time graduation rate was 87% in 2022, up from 76.3% in 2011 — and higher than the nationwide average of 86.6%. —

Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024 His strikeouts and walks per nine innings were both better than his career averages. —

Sam Blum, The Athletic, 11 Dec. 2024

Verb

So far, he's thrown one touchdown compared to nine interceptions in his 13 games of NFL experience and averaged just 3.9 yards per attempt. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024 Trump’s tariff impact Global investment bank and financial services company Goldman Sachs projected the Trump administration will raise tariffs on Chinese imports, averaging a 20% hike, with higher rates for non-consumer goods. —

Benzinga, Detroit Free Press, 28 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for average

Recent Examples of Synonyms for average

Adjective

The median sale price of luxury homes increased most in Providence, Rhode Island, (16.5% increase to $1,395,000), San Jose, California, (16.4% increase to $4,830,000) and Nassau County, New York, (14.3% increase to $2,572,500) as of July, according to Redfin.

Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
The group’s economist, Lawrence Yun, projected the median U.S. home price would continue to increase in 2025, but at a slower pace compared to previous years, reaching a $410,700 median existing-home price.

Brett Rowland | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Dec. 2024

Definition of median

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Style

“Average.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/average. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.

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Last Updated: 3 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of average

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