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 next

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 sale price of a new single-family home decreased 6.3% last month from a year ago, and is now $402,600. —

Bloomberg, Orange County Register, 26 Dec. 2024 As of November, the latest data available on Redfin, the median sale price of a home in the U.S. was $430,010, up 5.4 percent compared to a year earlier. —

Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024

Noun

The three then fled authorities with Smooth reportedly driving erratically by crossing multiple lanes and jumping the median. —

Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024 Still expensive, obviously, though the median has declined year-on-year since 2022. —

Andrew Depietro, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for median

Recent Examples of Synonyms for median

Adjective

To the average person, appreciating the elements that crowned Super Mario 64 a groundbreaking game back in 1996 requires at least some wandering around its world.

Patricia Hernandez, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025
By holding out, perhaps the Red Sox could get Bregman on a shorter contract with opt-outs and a high average annual value.

Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025