standard 1 of 2

1
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

2
3
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

4
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

1
2
3

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
Flickering habitability The landscape turned arid, judging by Earth’s standards, roughly 3.5 billion years ago. ArsTechnica, 13 July 2025 The families of some of the detainees have also decried conditions in the facility, while Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials defend it as offering higher detention standards than many US prisons. Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 12 July 2025
Adjective
The standard objection is that raising taxes on wealthy Americans will chase them away. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 14 July 2025 In this way, the image captures both the bright corona, visible from Earth only during a total solar eclipse, as well as fine details that standard exposures would miss. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for standard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standard
Noun
  • But the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges — the longtime accreditor of Florida’s 40 public universities and colleges — is the only one of the seven southern accreditation agencies that mandate DEI criteria.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 July 2025
  • Not so easy, but these four mostly meet the criteria.
    Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • Amid the violence, rioters burned an American flag.
    Alexandra Koch , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
  • Later in the evening, Austin police ordered marchers to remain on the sidewalk or face arrest; dozens of protesters defied officers and sat down in the middle of the roadway in front of them, one holding a billowing American flag as traffic lights flashed from red to green.
    Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Cooler temperatures are forecast for Super Bowl 59 on Sunday, with highs near seasonal normals.
    Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Darvish update Darvish is working his way back and figuring out how to work in his new normal.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • Set to hit shelves in February 2026, Maryk's novel adopts the time-travel fiction of The Midnight Library and The Book of Doors while raising major questions about mortality, morality and more.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 26 June 2025
  • However, Harry Potter is not a straightforward morality tale about technology.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Both are now visible to the naked eye to observers in the Southern Hemisphere and are currently shining millions of times brighter than usual.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • House Republicans were hit After the most contentious legislative session in DeSantis’ history, state lawmakers were bracing for the governor to use more ink than usual with the veto pen.
    Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • The size of a typical studio apartment is 500 to 600 square feet.
    Kate Talerico, Mercury News, 14 July 2025
  • Among the amenities typical of a hotel, the lodge complex included a saloon, a deli, a coffee shop, a post office, a gift shop, and a visitors center.
    Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • Twice per day, on the way up and back down, Kosmos 2589 briefly passes near a large number of US government and commercial satellites in more conventional geosynchronous orbits but then quickly departs the vicinity.
    Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 11 July 2025
  • The 139-footer, known as the 42 Exuma, has a novel layout that defies conventional superyacht design and an elegant interior that bears the hallmarks of a master couturier.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • In June, state economists announced those benchmarks won’t be hit.
    Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
  • The 10,000-step benchmark started as a marketing strategy for a 1960s Japanese pedometer, not a medical recommendation.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Standard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standard. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on standard

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!