standard 1 of 2

noun

ˈstan-dərd How to pronounce standard (audio)
Definition of standardnext
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

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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

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3
as in normal
what is typical of a group, class, or series somewhat shorter than the standard for boys that age

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4
as in morality
standards plural the code of good conduct for an individual or group a life guided by high standards

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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

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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

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3
as in conventional
accepted, used, or practiced by most people standard procedure

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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

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 standard
Noun
And, of course, Lynch's visionary style — ever so risky, strange, and deliberately confusing — set a new standard for the medium. —EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025 Seventy-five percent of first-class mail will retain its previous delivery standard, 14 percent will be accelerated, and 11 percent may experience a slight delay. —Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
The standard edition is perfect for those looking to explore the world of multi-modal robotics without diving into secondary development. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2025 Yes, this Amazon tiny home includes a full bathroom, complete with a roomy shower, a standard toilet, and a sink. —Katrina Cossey, Parents, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for standard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standard
  1. criterion
  2. flag
  3. normal
  4. morality
  5. usual
  6. typical
  7. conventional
  8. benchmark
Noun
  • The group assigned to identify a new home, known as the Sundance Film Festival Location Task Force and was made up of both Sundance staff members and board members, narrowed that list down to 67 cities that met its initial criteria and submitted an RFI.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Titled Protecting Europe's Essential Societal Functions, the strategy calls for minimum preparedness criteria to be implemented among essential services such as hospitals, schools, transport and telecommunications.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of criterion
Noun
  • Later, when the university sent a letter revoking its sponsorship of Mecha, the club’s members staged a protest at one of the school’s cultural centers, reportedly waving a Palestinian flag and refusing to leave.
    — Emma Green, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The visiting president released a nearly 2-minute video chronicling his arrival that included shots of the two countries’ flags, U.S. military color guard, and of course, Bukele himself, exiting his plane and into a black SUV, dressed in all black and dark sunglasses.
    — David Catanese, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of flag
Noun
  • 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
  • That might well be the new normal for Toronto, Sundance and Cannes.
    — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of normal
Noun
  • Approval from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, much like the morality police, requires artists to master abstraction, ensuring their work remains powerful yet permissible.
    — Rebecca Ruth Gould, JSTOR Daily, 9 Apr. 2025
  • An anti-Disney morality tale seeks modern morality.
    — Armond White, National Review, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of morality
Adjective
  • Since joining the Lakers, Dončić has put up his usual numbers, averaging 27.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.6 assists, and the Lakers are a serious contender.
    — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • And with a submission landscape thinner than usual, this might be creator Charlie Brooker’s best shot yet at one of the top prizes.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of usual
Adjective
  • The physical and financial strains typical of an aging household may have caused hardships for removing vegetation – a best practice in protecting a structure from an ember fire.
    — Calvin Schermerhorn, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Whoever wins the election will assume office immediately — without the country’s typical two-month transition period.
    — Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of typical
Adjective
  • Until Black Panther’s record breaking $235 million opening, conventional industry wisdom held that films with predominantly Black casts typically underperform financially overseas.
    — Chris Lee, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • At a computer convention, Trent (Fleck) expresses excitement over programs that Josh (Macer) has devised for keyboard, mimicking conventional instrumentation.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of conventional
Noun
  • In Europe, the region’s benchmark STOXX 600 index fell 3.5%.
    — John Towfighi, David Goldman and Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Global benchmark Brent crude was trading at $61.44 per barrel on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. in London, down nearly 17% year-to-date.
    — Natasha Turak, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of benchmark

Phrases Containing standard

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stand-alone
standard
standard-bearer
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Cite this Entry

“Standard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standard. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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