par

noun

ˈpär How to pronounce par (audio)
Definition of parnext
1
as in standard
something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared that last dining experience was not quite up to par

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in equivalence
the state or fact of being exactly the same in number, amount, status, or quality these California wines are on a par with the best produced in Europe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in average
what is typical of a group, class, or series a pulse of 70 is par for people of that age group

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 par Also a list of the true names and addresses of all former slaves, along with their actual occupations and 1858 yearly incomes, which, surprising no one, were right on par with the incomes of similar whites. — George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026 The French gêne par procuration delegates discomfort, while the German Fremdschämen means foreign shame. — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, there has been a steep decline in deforestation in Latin America and the Caribbean, leaving the two regions almost on a par. — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Cilvaringz did his thing with this album, his production was on par with some of the stuff RZA would do back in the day. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for par
Recent Examples of Synonyms for par
  1. standard
  2. equivalence
  3. average
  4. criterion
  5. equivalency
  6. normal
  7. benchmark
  8. equality
Noun
  • Although his roles were ostensibly romantic leads, Astaire had an almost radically unorthodox appeal—one that, in its urbanity, cosmopolitanism, elegance, and grace, challenged the prevailing standards for male movie stardom.
    — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
  • If students are not meeting basic academic standards, though, state governments sometimes step in and take over the day-to-day operations of entire school districts.
    — Daniel H. Robinson, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of standard
Noun
  • While that enthusiasm is beginning to wane, in some ways because of AI, over the first quarter of this century, Big Tech solidified the equivalence of tech skills, wealth, and power.
    — Kamau Bobb October 21, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Holography is another step in that tradition, an equivalence between area and volume that holds at least for certain spaces.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of equivalence
Noun
  • Murban crude, produced by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), has a carbon intensity less than half the global industry average.
    — H.E. Dr Abdulla Saif Al Jarwan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In 2025, an average of 27 commercial fishers sold approximately 42,000 lbs of ta’ape statewide, 47% more than in 2018.
    — Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of average
Noun
  • How that list would be compiled, and by whom, and under what criteria, was left unclear.
    — Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Its Cloud Sovereignty Framework assesses providers against 48 criteria covering legal control, data, operations and supply chains.
    — Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of criterion
Noun
  • After the birth of her son, Jorjiana passed her high school equivalency exam and took jobs bussing tables or working in fast food.
    — Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The measure also prohibits undocumented students from enrolling in adult general education programs in high schools and state colleges, which help prepare those taking the GED exam for the equivalency of a high school diploma.
    — Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of equivalency
Noun
  • The company has been very good about adjusting to the new normal too, which is great.
    — Marah Eakin, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Three years after Israel’s invasion, Gazans are tentatively building a new normal in the rubble of their old lives.
    — Ghada Abdulfattah, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of normal
Noun
  • Yet from the golden age of the Bentley Boys to the marque’s current renaissance, the Supersports’ one constant is its role as the Flying B’s internal-combustion benchmark.
    — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Gordon Murray Automotive is an important benchmark in that respect.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of benchmark
Noun
  • Its gender equality work will also expand to include the entire range of reproductive health care, and its information work will try to influence how digital tools get built, rolled out, and overseen.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • James referenced Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Bill Russell and Jackie Robinson as athletes who previously spoke up for equality and change with no concerns about the consequences or any rewards.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of equality

Phrases Containing par

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papules
par
parable
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Cite this Entry

“Par.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/par. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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