Definition of normalnext
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normal

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noun (1)

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

normality

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noun (2)

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
RatHat launches a separate native service outside the normal app life cycle. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 One is why anyone living a normal life needs a bot to perform such quotidian tasks as reading and writing emails, placing appointments on a calendar or calling a plumber. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
But the idea of global water bankruptcy shows that in many places, there’s no old normal to go back to. — Sara Roversi, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 In May, news broke that Hewitt and Davidson, 32, had broken up and were trying to navigate their new normal as co-parents. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
Noun
Sometimes there’s no need to look any further than normality. — Time, Time, 26 June 2026 Oil prices fell to their lowest level since the US-Israel war with Iran, as growing signs of a tentative return to normality through the Strait of Hormuz soothed markets. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for normal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for normal
Adjective
  • Once considered an ordinary metal, it was found in 2019 to become superconducting below about 2 kelvins.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Things that seem strange or even barbaric to us today were sometimes considered perfectly ordinary at another point in history.
    — Jim Dudlicek, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Real estate can provide stable income or appreciation through active value creation, while technology investments offer exposure to emerging businesses and new models of growth.
    — Connie Etemadi, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Neuralink says the approach can make those signals more stable and useful for controlling computers.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Ironically, the one spot where Dearborn Park genuinely engages the cityscape is along the west side of State south of Roosevelt where a row of single-family homes follows Chicago’s typical development pattern.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
  • While not your typical sneaker moment, the shoe blended the comfort of a casual sneaker with all the style and swagger of a high heel.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In our review, PCMag audio expert Tim Gideon lauded these headphones' above-average noise cancellation at their regular price.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Western states such as Montana and Washington average slightly over 30% turnout, while Connecticut, New York and Virginia average less than 10%.
    — Robert Boatright, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The products were Park Hyatt’s usual—delicious-smelling La Labo toiletries.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • There’s deals on makeup, too, like the Ilia Limitless Mascara at 20% off for just $23 compared to its usual $30.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • But his memory, of a long career as a reporter around the globe, with turns as an essayist, a historian, a novelist, and a political activist, remains almost eerily lucid.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026
  • These 16 slaps are lucid and adventurous, featuring random Jay Electronica warblings, DJ Quik rhythms, and a couple of surprisingly appropriate Westside Gunn vignettes.
    — Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The free trial associated with this subscription will be appended to the standard duration of access, and the promotion used for this subscription will be applied at the first renewal.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
  • At the same time, her brows maintained their standard fullness, and her lips were lined in brown.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • First our forebears began to imitate peers learned behaviors, creating group norms that supported coordinated work.
    — Michael Morris, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Hoon Lee is not as famous as Pugh, nor does his character burn as brightly as Cathy’s hatred for societal norms.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Normal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/normal. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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