STANDARD Synonyms: 225 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

standard 1 of 2

noun

ˈstan-dərd

Definition of standard

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in normal

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in morality

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

standard

2 of 2

adjective

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in conventional

accepted, used, or practiced by most people standard procedure

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Our editors hold the same standard and don’t program content identified as slop or spam. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026 They are held to a standard that doesn't include entitlement, excuses, or any agenda other than TEAM. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Second, lighting and audio infrastructure will become standard rather than luxury. — Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026 Whereas most doctors give a standard battery of CT scans and MRIs, Rau uses a technique called dark-field microscopy. — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for standard

Recent Examples of Synonyms for standard

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

The damage included the complete removal of one Marine's head, along with damage to other figures depicted raising the American flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II, according to authorities.

— Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
The kingdom’s main flag carrier, Saudia, is offering tickets to Riyadh via Al Qassim, with a bus connection to the Saudi capital.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of flag

Adjective

Murray says her own experience has made her more understanding when female colleagues seem more tired or irritable than usual, particularly when the behavior is out of character.

— Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
Its warped vocal harmonies are ripe and sour, including guest appearances from the band’s friends, and off-kilter squiggles on steel guitar deviate from their usual pattern.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of usual

Adjective

However, the test took place entirely on urban roads in mild weather, conditions that favour EV efficiency and do not reflect typical highway driving or winter use.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
The One Block Down x Air Max 95 OG Big Bubble Lux features a full premium leather upper, replacing all of the typical Air Max 95 materials including its signature synthetic suede and mesh.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of typical

Adjective

Compared to conventional microscopes, the Airscope offers a complete upgrade in neural imaging.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Grid current passes through silicon carbide transistors that switch at high frequency before sending it through a small conventional transformer, preserving the essential electrical isolation between the grid and everything downstream.

— Alex Pasternack, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of conventional

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

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of standard

noun

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

'Picayune', 'Tribune', and 7 More Names...

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of standard

noun

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing standard

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to standard

'Picayune', 'Tribune', and 7 More Names...

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes