NORM Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'norm' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of norm are average , mean , and median . While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade. // scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

Q: When is it sensible to use 'average' instead of 'norm'?

The synonyms average and norm are sometimes interchangeable, but average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures. // scored an average of 85 on tests

Q: When might 'mean' be a better fit than 'norm'?

The words mean and norm can be used in similar contexts, but mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes. // a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°

Q: When can 'median' be used instead of 'norm'?

Although the words median and norm have much in common, median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below. // average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars

norm

noun

ˈnȯrm

Definition of norm next

as in normal

what is typical of a group, class, or series sales figures that are within the norm of a store of that size

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in standards

norms plural the code of good conduct for an individual or group societal norms dictate that murder is wrong

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word norm distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of norm are average, mean, and median. While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade.

scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

When is it sensible to use average instead of norm?

The synonyms average and norm are sometimes interchangeable, but average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures.

scored an average of 85 on tests

When might mean be a better fit than norm?

The words mean and norm can be used in similar contexts, but mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes.

a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°

When can median be used instead of norm?

Although the words median and norm have much in common, median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below.

average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars

Examples of norm in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web All agreed that what Trump is proposing would shatter 50 years of post-Watergate norms dictating that federal prosecutors don’t take orders from the president about criminal investigations. —

Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024 Addressing Impact on Society Both AI and crypto have the potential to disrupt societal norms and institutions. —

Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 Among the attractions for beneficiaries has been that China’s help comes without the kind of economic and political conditions that U.S. and Western donors have long emphasized: economic sustainability, transparency, and a broad acceptance of democratic norms. —

Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 Oct. 2024 Rather than being a loss for Washington, however, the resulting web of relationships enabled the United States to work with and through its friends to help shape the bank’s rules, norms, and practices. —

Anne-Marie Slaughter, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for norm

Recent Examples of Synonyms for norm

Noun

The feeling of being utterly overwhelmed appears to be the new normal for leaders around the world.

Martin Gutmann, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
Late Friday evening, or possibly overnight into Saturday, another cold front will send temperatures back to mid-October normals.

Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 9 Oct. 2024