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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
Meanwhile, temperatures in swaths of the US are expected to drop this weekend and could be almost 30 degrees below normal by Monday for millions. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025 The morning low temperatures may drop below freezing as far south as Houston, New Orleans and Tallahassee, Fla., on Monday and Tuesday mornings — between 20 and 30 degrees below normal for this time of year, Taylor said. Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
But as the industry adjusts to a new normal in how viewers consume television, primetime series are showing true resilience. Michael Schneider, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024 Well-above-normal temperatures are in the forecast for Friday afternoon before conditions return to season normals over the weekend. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for normal 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for normal
Adjective
  • Chris Pratt stars as an ordinary LEGO guy who finds himself on an extraordinary journey in a film that’s really about the power of the imagination, distilling the creative joy of playing with LEGOs into a captivating story.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Many civilians – ordinary people who weren’t fighting in the war – died, and whole cities were destroyed.
    Hurst Hannum, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to Strong's scrap and boatyard, the stable where Curly would care for Tommy's racehorses resided here.
    Matt Cabral, EW.com, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Warframe is the model that the industry largely ignores, for whatever reason, despite being arguably the most successful and stable.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The tax crimes carried a maximum sentence of 17 years while the penalty for the gun crimes was capped at 25 years, although typical sentences are less and the judges didn't have to give Hunter Biden any jail or prison time.
    Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025
  • The typical physician earns $225,000 a year, the second-highest salary of the bunch.
    Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Ewers has been solid in the postseason, completing 64 percent of his attempts for an average of 294 yards in three games with five touchdowns and four interceptions.
    Manny Navarro, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
  • The Numbers Don’t Lie: More Applications, Same Number of Seats The Common App report shows that first-year applicants are up 5% this year, with students submitting an average of nearly five applications each.
    Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Forecasts for two of the three upcoming winter storms are tricky and more uncertain than usual.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Across from them in their usual stalls stood the eight neighing horses.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Jenny and her mother had lucid conversations about Andrea’s abuse, which Jenny sometimes recorded, but Alice would forget what had happened a few minutes later.
    Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
  • In my own lucid dreams, a ripe, summer stone-fruit from the market explodes with flavor.
    Krista Stevens, Longreads, 12 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • No specialized charging infrastructure is required, as the battery can be recharged overnight using standard 110 V outlets.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The standard deduction: The 2017 tax overhaul nearly doubled the standard deduction.
    Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The day is getting late in salvaging traditional American growth, opportunity, and prosperity—GDP growth at sub 2-percent per annum this millennium, half or less of the pre-income tax norm.
    Brian Domitrovic, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Friday’s 25-point blowout by a surging Oklahoma City Thunder team, a legitimate threat to the championship throne, showcased the troubling norm for opponents exploiting New York’s lack of reliable bench depth.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near normal

Cite this Entry

“Normal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/normal. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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