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

Related Words

as in to equalize

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Example 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

Houston, on average, records about 52 inches of rain every year, based on recent climate data. —

Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 7 May 2026 Argentina’s Health Ministry said there were 28 deaths from hantavirus last year, up from an average mortality rate of 15 in the five years before that. —

Molly Quell, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026

Noun

But in 2025, state data shows above-average crashes, with four more fatal crashes than the average in November, five more crashes causing injuries, and 12 more motorcycle crashes overall. —

Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 1 May 2026 Analysts had predicted in January that the program would begin to slow down by 2028, capturing an average of $738 million between then and 2030. —

Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026

Verb

Weekday lunch waits these days seem to average about 45 minutes. —

Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026 The company offers more than 350 trips in some 100 countries on all seven continents, and tour group sizes average 11 participants. —

Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for average

Recent Examples of Synonyms for average

Adjective

The biggest decline was in Florida's Cape Coral-Fort Myers region, where the median home sale price declined 9% to $341,250 in the first quarter compared with the year-ago period.

— Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Low- and moderate-income workers would be eligible for a 1% automatic contribution and up to a 4% matching contribution from the federal government, with a phaseout at median income.

— Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 1 May 2026

Definition of median

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aver

average

averaged

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“Average.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/average. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of average

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