normal 1 of 2

1
2
3

normal

2 of 2

noun

as in average
what is typical of a group, class, or series a temperature chart showing the normals and extremes for various regions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective normal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of normal are natural, regular, and typical. While all these words mean "being of the sort or kind that is expected as usual, ordinary, or average," 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

In what contexts can natural take the place of normal?

The meanings of natural and normal largely overlap; however, 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 is regular a more appropriate choice than normal?

While in some cases nearly identical to normal, regular stresses conformity to a rule, standard, or pattern.

the club's regular monthly meeting

When might typical be a better fit than normal?

The words typical and normal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, typical implies showing all important traits of a type, class, or group and may suggest lack of strong individuality.

a typical small town

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 normal
Adjective
This year the market will open two weeks earlier than normal. Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025 Near normal temperatures are expected on Monday, with highs reaching the mid-80s. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
Noun
The movie’s over-all arc is a common one: from the unquestioned routines of daily life to the strange new normal of risks and precautions, fears and constraints, illness and deaths; from there to an eventual sense of wary relief. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2025 The bottom line is that nearly four years into this new normal in college football, NFL teams are still trying to master a transfer landscape that isn’t going away. Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for normal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for normal
Adjective
  • Our party wants to give ordinary workers a raise by raising the living wage.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
  • As a result, many affordable properties turn out to be comparatively ordinary in appearance and amenities.
    Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
Adjective
  • This stood in sharp contrast to the postwar American corporate experience, which operated within stable, predictable structures.
    Gabriel Snyder, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
  • An East Chicago man shot by police Tuesday evening is in stable condition, according to his uncle, who says witnesses to the shooting claim his nephew didn’t start the issue.
    Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • On a recent Friday morning, a group of half a dozen neighbors and business owners in Fountain Square gathered near Leonard Street, looking prepared for a typical neighborhood cleanup.
    Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 26 July 2025
  • Regents selected the two most recent UT presidential appointments at University of Texas at Dallas and UTHealth Houston after a national search by a presidential search advisory committee, per the typical policy.
    Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
Noun
  • As of 2024, an inmate spent an average of 269 months – more than 22 years – on death row awaiting execution, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
    Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 20 July 2025
  • Beer can also get quite expensive, costing an average of $7.18, but going as high as $15, according to Statista.
    Jeanette Hurt, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • For deeper repair, apply generously as an overnight scalp and hair mask, then wash and style as usual the next day.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 July 2025
  • Elie Saab’s show, as usual, was on point, showcasing spectacular, timeless red-carpet-style gowns which were opulent and glamorous in equal measure.
    Laia Farran Graves, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • The glasses are available in a Midas Fleck colorway, with a black lucid treatment and gold details, featuring Prizm 24K lenses.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 9 July 2025
  • Han, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature last year, has written about the Jeju uprising before in the brutal and lucid 2014 novel Human Acts.
    Vulture Editors, Vulture, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • The final numbers include a max speed of Mach 0.94 (721 mph), an ultrahigh speed of Mach 0.92 (706 mph), and a standard cruise of Mach 0.85 (652 mph)—the latter delivering its benchmark range.
    Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 26 July 2025
  • Both cameras are far more sensitive than the standard cameras used on Earth.
    Adi Foord, Space.com, 26 July 2025
Noun
  • These behavioral norms become the immune system of your culture.
    Brendan Keegan, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2025
  • The new norm of office fashion is all about balance.
    Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 23 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Normal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/normal. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on normal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!