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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
The rule instructs new parents to spend the first five days after childbirth mostly resting in bed, the next five days mostly resting but starting to resume some activities, and the next five days gradually resuming normal activities. Wendy Wisner, Health, 5 Nov. 2024 Your pup seems unsettled, but maybe that's normal behavior. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
Now, this recent outing at the Beverly Hills Hotel could be seen as a step towards establishing a new normal for their blended family. Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 14 Sep. 2024 Bibi’s One Life concept, which includes another five shows across Europe through late September, establishes a new normal for the previously globe-trotting DJ, with Bibi now playing a very select number of shows, most of them during the day and early evening. Katie Bain, Billboard, 11 Sep. 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 six victims who were wounded were taken to the Orlando Regional Medical Center and were in stable condition, Smith said.
    Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The 26-year-old was transported to a local hospital and reportedly is in stable condition, according to Dallas PD, who had officers arrive to the scene at approximately 5:52 pm CT.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • There are still a few typical Grammy picks (congrats, Common & Pete Rock), but overall, the rap field hasn’t looked this fresh in years.
    Justin Curto, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
  • According to Goldy, a manager dressed in a floor-length silver-gray pleather gown, a typical selection at W Salon is at least $2,000.
    Talia Lavin, Curbed, 7 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
  • In averages of polls from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ, Trump is ahead of Harris by 0.9 points in Nevada and 1.9 percent in Arizona.
    The Hill, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Sky noted that the prince seemed more relaxed than usual at his Earthshot Prize.
    Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
  • This app is by no means intended to replace your usual antivirus.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • 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
  • No wonder this piece came out sounding lucid as chamber music, as though each line had been teased apart and individually combed.
    Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • Storms have become so frequent that some insurers just assume a roof with standard shingles has sustained damage.
    Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
  • Johnson said there isn’t a standard timeframe set to help individuals as their needs differ.
    Hema Sivanandam, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Bizarre cultural norms The Democratic Party at its best stands for fairness and freedom.
    Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
  • The command center approach, borrowed from space missions and military operations, is becoming the new norm for high-stakes business maneuvers.
    Sidharth Ramsinghaney, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near normal

Cite this Entry

“Normal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/normal. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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