MEDIAN Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'median' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of median are average , mean , and norm . While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," 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: When would 'average' be a good substitute for 'median'?

The meanings of average and median largely overlap; however, 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 'median'?

The words mean and median can be used in similar contexts, but 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: When might 'norm' be a better fit than 'median'?

In some situations, the words norm and median 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

median 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of median next

as in average

being about midway between extremes of amount or size the median price of a home in the area

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in middle

occupying a position equally distant from the ends or extremes determine the median point between your two speakers, and test your stereo system from there

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

median

2 of 2

noun

as in normal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word median distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of median are average, mean, and norm. While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," 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

When would average be a good substitute for median?

The meanings of average and median largely overlap; however, 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 median?

The words mean and median can be used in similar contexts, but 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°

When might norm be a better fit than median?

In some situations, the words norm and median 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 median

Adjective

With that in mind, here's a look at Tennessee's Top 25 highest paying jobs that only require a high school diploma or its equivalent, based on 2023 annual median income calculated by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. —

Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 22 Dec. 2024 That being said, the median amount of time for a return is nine days. —

Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024

Noun

Bitdefender’s impact on the all-important download speed was slightly higher than the median of current VPNs, as was its impact on upload speed. —

PCMAG, 17 Dec. 2024 Americans’ faith in the court system between 2006 and 2020 was similar to the median of OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries, such as Canada, the United Kingdom and France, the pollster noted. —

Filip Timotija, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for median

Recent Examples of Synonyms for median

Adjective

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

Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 23 Dec. 2024
Northbound Stock Connect volumes were just above average.

Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024