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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective typical differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of typical are natural, normal, and regular. While all these words mean "being of the sort or kind that is expected as usual, ordinary, or average," typical implies showing all important traits of a type, class, or group and may suggest lack of strong individuality.

a typical small town

When is it sensible to use natural instead of typical?

While in some cases nearly identical to typical, 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 can normal be used instead of typical?

The words normal and typical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When would regular be a good substitute for typical?

The words regular and typical can be used in similar contexts, but regular stresses conformity to a rule, standard, or pattern.

the club's regular monthly meeting

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 typical Shifting Sights While developing their model, Wang and Hazzard noticed that the assumptions behind DHR theory went beyond typical concerns of locality. Shalma Wegsman, Wired News, 25 May 2025 Because Brand demanded a speedy trial, the proceedings got started much more quickly than is typical for murder trials, leaving prosecutors to rush to expedite evidence production and prepare witnesses just a little over a year after the attack. Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025 On a typical Tuesday evening, Christopher Thuss was fishing on Lake Michigan off the coast of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, when something strange popped up on his sonar screen. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025 Social Security payments are set to go out May 14 – a few days later than is typical. Mike Snider, USA Today, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for typical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for typical
Adjective
  • Most kids use pacifiers—and up to a certain point, that's totally normal.
    ​Wendy Wisner, Parents, 29 May 2025
  • In the months since Trump was reelected and returned to the White House, American doctors have shown skyrocketing interest in becoming licensed in Canada, where dozens more than normal have already been cleared to practice, according to Canadian licensing officials and recruiting businesses.
    Brett Kelman, NPR, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • In March 2025, Colossal unveiled its woolly mouse, engineered to carry genes for the mammoth's characteristic thick, golden coat and accelerated fat metabolism.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 24 May 2025
  • But what really makes A View to a Kill sing are the baddies, starting at the top with the Nazi-bred, ex-KGB, genetically altered microchip tycoon, horse breeder, and airship enthusiast Max Zorin, played with characteristic flamboyance by Walken.
    EW.com, EW.com, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • On average, female participants took about 4.5 bites to finish their pizza slice, while men took just 2.1 bites. Number of chews.
    Brian Mastroianni, Health, 23 May 2025
  • How to build credit as an authorized user on a credit card What is the average credit score in the U.S.?
    Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Another series of sweeps beginning around 8,000 years ago gave Eurasians their distinctive pale complexion.
    Kermit Pattison, Scientific American, 20 May 2025
  • Côme is not alone among Réunion’s producers in striving to find—and sell—vanilla’s distinctive if as yet unrecognized qualities.
    Jay Cheshes, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Newsweek contacted the company for comment on Tuesday, outside of standard business hours.
    Joe Edwards Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
  • Specs In Line With The Realme GT 7 Internally, the Realme GT 7 Dream Edition is similar to the standard GT 7.
    Prakhar Khanna, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • Within such simulations, there will be three distinct participant groups: 1.
    Ivan Shvaichenko, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • There is a distinct difference between the two eras.
    Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Nvidia’s Jensen Huang was more somber than usual on the AI juggernaut’s conference call following its blockbuster earnings, according to CNBC’s Kristina Partsinevelos , who has been analyzing all the action in the cult stock for the last 24 hours.
    John Melloy, CNBC, 29 May 2025
  • When the Grand National Tour stopped in Arizona on Wednesday (May 27), SZA was doing her usual pre-show ritual of greeting fans outside during her NOT Beauty pop-up.
    Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • The formula for ‘true tackles’ is slightly more long-winded: tackles + challenges lost + fouls committed.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • But these mitigation efforts are, at best, half-measures, not true adaptation.
    Edmund Zagorin, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Typical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/typical. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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