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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective typical differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of typical are natural, normal, and regular. While all these words mean "being of the sort or kind that is expected as usual, ordinary, or average," typical implies showing all important traits of a type, class, or group and may suggest lack of strong individuality.

a typical small town

When is it sensible to use natural instead of typical?

While in some cases nearly identical to typical, natural applies to what conforms to a thing's essential nature, function, or mode of being.

the natural love of a mother for her child

When can normal be used instead of typical?

The words normal and typical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, normal implies lack of deviation from what has been discovered or established as the most usual or expected.

normal behavior for a two-year-old

When would regular be a good substitute for typical?

The words regular and typical can be used in similar contexts, but regular stresses conformity to a rule, standard, or pattern.

the club's regular monthly meeting

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 typical To some degree, the one-two punch of decisions was typical politics. Luke Broadwater, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025 In a typical year, 4.35 inches falls during that time. Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025 The region added nearly 20,000 new apartments last year, about double the typical pace seen in recent years. Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2025 The tax crimes carried a maximum sentence of 17 years while the penalty for the gun crimes was capped at 25 years, although typical sentences are less and the judges didn't have to give Hunter Biden any jail or prison time. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for typical 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for typical
Adjective
  • The morning low temperatures may drop below freezing as far south as Houston, New Orleans and Tallahassee, Fla., on Monday and Tuesday mornings — between 20 and 30 degrees below normal for this time of year, Taylor said.
    Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Meanwhile, temperatures in swaths of the US are expected to drop this weekend and could be almost 30 degrees below normal by Monday for millions.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The immune system responds to these accumulations, sending macrophage white blood cells to engulf the cholesterol, which then turn into foam cells that aggregate in the skin, forming the yellowish plaques characteristic of xanthelasma.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The nose features the spice and herbal notes characteristic of rye whiskeys, with pine, mint, and eucalyptus notes followed by citrus zest, floral potpourri, and herbal aromas.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Those ratings create an estimate of how many goals each team is expected to score and allow in a game against an average opponent at a neutral site.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
  • More than 25 million people are under winter weather alerts from Florida to Virginia today — all while much of the central and eastern US face temperatures running 20-30 degrees below average.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • His distinctive dance moves quickly went viral— the dance looks like someone standing in place and pumping their arms back and forth, as if trying to dry their back with an invisible towel.
    Phil Harrell, NPR, 20 Jan. 2025
  • In some ways, because of their ability to secure bigger hits and Goosebumps’ multigenerational focus, the anthology series acts as a period piece and time capsule, sonically capturing two distinctive moments and their music trends.
    Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to exclusivity, suites are larger than standard staterooms, offering more personal space.
    David Nikel, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The standard deduction: The 2017 tax overhaul nearly doubled the standard deduction.
    Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Very bold colors—a long, bright orange hallway—and wacky costumes like Harvey’s floral suits, to give the film a strident, distinct look and feel.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The movements Obama and Trump inspired were quite distinct.
    Ron Elving, NPR, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Mixon figures to see his usual heavy workload against the Chiefs.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The shop has worked its usual magic on the mill, upping output to 625 hp and 627 ft lbs of torque.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • By staying true to her own experiences, her music naturally encourages others to embrace courage, authenticity, and a childlike sense of wonder—an organic process that defines the heart of her artistic contribution.
    Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025
  • This is especially true for the controversial subject of spanking.
    Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 15 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near typical

Cite this Entry

“Typical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/typical. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on typical

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