MEDIAN Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of median are average , mean , and norm . While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," 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

Q: When would 'average' be a good substitute for 'median'?

The meanings of average and median largely overlap; however, 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 can 'mean' be used instead of 'median'?

The words mean and median 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 might 'norm' be a better fit than 'median'?

In some situations, the words norm and median are roughly equivalent. However, norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade. // scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

median 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of median

as in average

being about midway between extremes of amount or size the median price of a home in the area

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in middle

occupying a position equally distant from the ends or extremes determine the median point between your two speakers, and test your stereo system from there

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

median

2 of 2

noun

as in normal

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word median distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of median are average, mean, and norm. While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," 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

When would average be a good substitute for median?

The meanings of average and median largely overlap; however, 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 can mean be used instead of median?

The words mean and median 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 might norm be a better fit than median?

In some situations, the words norm and median are roughly equivalent. However, norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade.

scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

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 median

Adjective

The median cumulative earnings for UC graduates over a 20-year period amounts to more than $2 million, data from 2024 shows. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026 The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation has pledged $250 deposits for accounts belonging to children ages 10 or younger living in Zip codes with median household incomes of $150,000 or less. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 30 June 2026

Noun

Originally part of an expansive green space, the Signers’ Monument today is wedged into the median of Greene Street across from Augusta’s municipal government building. — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 30 June 2026 Two people were killed and another 20 people were injured when a coach bus carrying passengers crashed into other vehicles and flipped over a median into oncoming traffic late the night of June 29, authorities in New York said. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for median

Recent Examples of Synonyms for median

Adjective

That adds up to just $15,080 a year, based on a standard 40-hour workweek—less than a third of the average American’s salary of around $60,000 yearly.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 July 2026
The battery life errs more on the average side and lacks magnetic charging, but the $200 Fourth of July discount makes up for it.

— Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 6 July 2026

Definition of average

Adjective

Gartner predicted this moment in October 2024, forecasting that 20% of organizations would use AI to flatten their structures by 2026, eliminating more than half of existing middle-management roles.

— Cindy Rodriguez Constable, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
The adaptation of Sachar’s middle-grade classic—in which one Stanley Yelnats IV is sent to a detention camp where he is forced to dig a hole every day—is nowhere near as good as the book.

— Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026

Definition of middle

Noun

Then, before the listener can fully settle in, the Puerto Rican rapper and singer fires off bars claiming that Grammys were stolen from him and details his many nights spent sleeping on the floor to his new normal of earning $500,000 per show.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Most likely, the new normal in the Persian Gulf will be chronic instability and frequent disruptions in shipping.

— Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026

Definition of normal

Adjective

The Pirates are 9 1/2 games behind the National League Central Division leading Milwaukee Brewers – but only two games out of a playoff spot at the halfway point in the season.

— Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Dude’s pretty darn good with halfway decent quarterback play.

— Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 24 June 2026

Definition of halfway

Adjective

This operational model provides industrial customers with intermediate power options while the nuclear components clear regulatory review cycles.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Regarding duration, with interest rates nearing their peak, extending into intermediate maturities (3-7 years) offers a good balance of income and rate sensitivity, though caution is advised for very long durations due to fiscal pressures.

— Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of intermediate

Adjective

Its growing mid-range uninhabited strike capacity can help isolate Russian forces, degrade Crimea’s military utility, pressure Russia’s logistics network, and create openings for traditional airpower.

— David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Warm and increasingly muggy Tuesday night in Maryland After peaking in the upper 80s and low-to-mid 90s, temperatures will only slowly cool back through the 80s this evening as humidity increases.

— Rachael Jay, CBS News, 30 June 2026

Definition of mid

Browse Nearby Words

medial

median

medians

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“Median.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/median. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of median

adjective

noun

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Synonyms of median

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to median

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on median

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Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

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Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

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Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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Games & Quizzes