1
: of middle, medium, or moderate size, degree, or quality
2
3
: of, relating to, or being a middle class
middling
adverb
1
: any of various commodities of intermediate size, quality, or position
2
middlings plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: a granular product of grain milling
especially
: a wheat milling by-product used in animal feeds
Synonyms
Examples of middling in a Sentence
Adjective
tired of the city but not particularly interested in small-town life, he moved to a suburb of middling size
was disappointed in the renowned historian's latest book, which is only middling
Recent Examples on the Web
Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Other factors include New England’s especially high expectations, stable owner (albeit one reluctant to spend cash) and residence in the mostly middling AFC East.
—Jacob Robinson, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 8 Jan. 2025
The Edmonton Oilers have officially transitioned from a middling, underachieving group to their rightful status as a contender that just finds ways to win.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024
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Adjective
Part of the cause of Toronto’s freefall following four consecutive winning seasons was a middling offense that was devoid of Bo Bichette for about half of the season but another cause was a highly shaky bullpen.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Other factors include New England’s especially high expectations, stable owner (albeit one reluctant to spend cash) and residence in the mostly middling AFC East.
—Jacob Robinson, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
Some cite Chicago’s league-worst record and St. Louis’ middling play for the disinterest, but Wachtel said the teams still drew the highest average ticket price in the history of the contest and performed well in merchandise and concessions.
—Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 8 Jan. 2025
The Edmonton Oilers have officially transitioned from a middling, underachieving group to their rightful status as a contender that just finds ways to win.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for middling
Dictionary Entries Near middling
Cite this Entry
“Middling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/middling. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
middling
1 of 2 adjective
mid·dling
ˈmid-liŋ 
-lən
: of medium size, degree, or quality
middling
adverb
middling
2 of 2 noun1
: any of various products of medium quality or size
2
plural
: a product produced by milling grain
especially
: a product of wheat milling that is used in animal feeds
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