Synonyms of standard

standard 1 of 2

noun

ˈstan-dərd 

1

as in criterion

something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared

the animation in that movie set the standard against which all later animated cartoons were judged

Synonyms & Similar Words

• criterion
• benchmark
• measure
• metric
• example
• gold standard
• grade
• rule
• par
• norm
• yardstick
• touchstone
• bar
• barometer
• instance
• average
• mark
• case
• pinnacle
• apex
• peak
• summit
• meridian
• zenith
• acme

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deviation
• abnormality
• aberration

2

as in flag

a piece of cloth with a special design that is used as an emblem or for signaling

a ship flying the queen's standard

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flag
• banner
• colors
• ensign
• pennant
• streamer
• pendant
• insignia
• guidon
• pennon
• jack
• banderole
• white flag
• black flag
• badge
• tricolor
• Jolly Roger
• bunting
• crest
• coat of arms
• semaphore
• union jack
• gonfalon
• waft
• burgee
• signaler

3

as in normal

what is typical of a group, class, or series

somewhat shorter than the standard for boys that age

Synonyms & Similar Words

• normal
• average
• norm
• usual
• ordinary
• par
• median
• rule
• mean
• middle
• status quo
• commonplace
• golden mean
• representative
• run
• exemplar

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exception
• deviation
• anomaly
• abnormality
• rarity

4

as in morality

standards plural the code of good conduct for an individual or group

a life guided by high standards

Synonyms & Similar Words

• morality
• morals
• ethics
• principles
• values
• norms
• etiquette
• ethos
• manners
• faith
• beliefs
• customs
• dictates
• mores
• tenets
• dogma

standard

2 of 2

adjective

1

as in usual

being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events

a standard bandage is all that that wound needs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• normal
• usual
• ordinary
• average
• typical
• routine
• common
• commonplace
• customary
• regular
• everyday
• standard-issue
• unremarkable
• prosaic
• familiar
• expected
• run-of-the-mill
• garden-variety
• unexceptional
• cut-and-dried
• workaday
• par for the course
• plain
• popular
• homely
• predictable
• frequent
• trivial
• plain-Jane
• vulgar
• natural
• habitual
• unimportant
• unextraordinary
• insignificant
• wonted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unusual
• extraordinary
• exceptional
• strange
• abnormal
• odd
• peculiar
• rare
• quaint
• atypical
• curious
• out-of-the-way
• anomalous
• funny
• queer
• irregular
• aberrant
• scarce
• phenomenal
• fantastic
• outrageous
• outstanding
• bizarre
• wild
• idiosyncratic
• unique
• weird
• prominent
• unconventional
• eccentric
• untypical
• unorthodox
• notable
• striking
• unprecedented
• conspicuous
• signal
• novel
• salient
• singular
• unparalleled
• wacky
• recherché
• oddball
• way-out
• outré
• Kafkaesque
• offbeat
• kooky
• far-out
• freakish
• nonconformist
• unexampled
• freak

2

as in typical

having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind

he's pretty much your standard high-school jock

Synonyms & Similar Words

• typical
• normal
• average
• usual
• regular
• true
• characteristic
• representative
• ordinary
• conventional
• customary
• classic
• archetypal
• common
• predictable
• everyday
• commonplace
• routine
• familiar
• expected
• predominant
• habitual
• textbook
• vintage
• workaday
• wonted
• unremarkable
• unexceptional
• preponderant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• special
• abnormal
• atypical
• unusual
• uncommon
• anomalous
• deviant
• aberrant
• irregular
• unique
• exceptional
• distinctive
• extraordinary
• unconventional
• rare
• remarkable
• singular
• noteworthy
• unfamiliar
• unexpected
• infrequent
• nontypical
• untypical
• nonrepresentative
• especial
• peculiar
• unpredictable
• idiosyncratic
• eccentric
• unknown
• unorthodox
• strange
• odd
• uncustomary
• outlandish
• unwonted
• curious
• erratic
• outrageous
• funny
• bizarre
• fantastic
• unnatural
• wild
• weird
• out-of-the-way
• oddball
• quirky
• nonconformist
• wacky
• funky
• way-out
• screwy
• offbeat
• freakish
• outré
• kooky
• freak
• far-out

3

as in conventional

accepted, used, or practiced by most people

standard procedure

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conventional
• usual
• current
• customary
• prevailing
• popular
• prevalent
• normal
• average
• going
• stock
• ordinary
• regular
• common
• universal
• widespread
• routine
• everyday
• ubiquitous
• accustomed
• in
• fashionable
• epidemic
• stylish
• wonted
• modish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unusual
• nonstandard
• extraordinary
• unpopular
• exceptional
• abnormal
• uncommon
• unconventional

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun standard contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of standard are criterion, gauge, touchstone, and yardstick. While all these words mean "a means of determining what a thing should be," standard applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority.

standards of behavior

In what contexts can criterion take the place of standard?

The meanings of criterion and standard largely overlap; however, criterion may apply to anything used as a test of quality whether formulated as a rule or principle or not.

questioned the critic's criteria for excellence

When can gauge be used instead of standard?

While the synonyms gauge and standard are close in meaning, gauge applies to a means of testing a particular dimension (such as thickness, depth, diameter) or figuratively a particular quality or aspect.

polls as a gauge of voter dissatisfaction

When could touchstone be used to replace standard?

While in some cases nearly identical to standard, touchstone suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible.

fine service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant

How are the words yardstick and criterion related as synonyms of standard?

Yardstick is an informal substitute for criterion that suggests quantity more often than quality.

housing construction as a yardstick of economic growth

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of standard

Noun

The project, police added, is funded through the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program and is intended to help the city identify areas where pedestrian infrastructure may not meet current accessibility standards. —Jason Green, Mercury News, 30 May 2026

Federal standards require transmission providers to have enough electricity available in reserve to serve their own local homes and businesses safely. —Sufan Jiang, Fortune, 30 May 2026

Adjective

The officer called someone to consult them about his case, likely federal authorities, as is standard in these sorts of traffic stops. —Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026

Astronomers have adopted somewhat arbitrary standard units to address this issue. —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 29 May 2026

Phrases Containing standard

• gold standard