1
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
tired of the city but not particularly interested in small-town life, he moved to a suburb of middling size
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decent
of average to below average quality
was disappointed in the renowned historian's latest book, which is only middling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of middling
Technically, this is a cheat: 2018’s Liberation tried this too, but to middling effect.
—
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
New York won seven straight under coach and Hall of Fame goalie Patrick Roy, but has since returned to its middling ways, seizing four of its past 10 opportunities.
—Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2025
He was acquired in a pick-swap deal that reflected his middling value as a solid, but unspectacular player, in a contract year.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
Actor Tim Blake Nelson, who wrote, directed, and stars in Leaves of Grass, deserved better than its middling reviews and dreadful box-office performance.
—Barry Levitt, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for middling
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
New York won seven straight under coach and Hall of Fame goalie Patrick Roy, but has since returned to its middling ways, seizing four of its past 10 opportunities.
—Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2025
He was acquired in a pick-swap deal that reflected his middling value as a solid, but unspectacular player, in a contract year.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
Actor Tim Blake Nelson, who wrote, directed, and stars in Leaves of Grass, deserved better than its middling reviews and dreadful box-office performance.
—Barry Levitt, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for middling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for middling
Adjective
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The American Public Health Association says that as global average temperatures rise, these trends will continue and make allergies an increasing public health concern.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
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Thresholds For Degree Programs Established Another provision establishes the minimum average number of graduates that degree programs at state colleges and universities must produce over a three-year period.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Edwards landed a decent percentage of his strikes at 66 percent, but the pressure from Muhammad limited his attempts to just 71 significant strikes.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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And even after the outings that are just decent, the Phillies can see it.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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The median list price climbed 6.2 percent in March, compared to a year earlier—the biggest increase since September 2022.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
-
The March report from the Wisconsin Realtors Association shows a double-digit drop in home sales and a nearly 4% increase in the median price in the state.—
Benjamin Yount | The Center Square contributor,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The findings are available to the public at cdc.gov, with a score of 86 and above deemed satisfactory and anything under considered unsatisfactory.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2025
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The player: Luis Ortiz Ortiz’s first three starts, respectively, could be classified as ugly, satisfactory and excellent.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In a heavy medium saucepan whisk together cooled milk, whole eggs, egg yolks, 1/4 tsp.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 May 2025
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Enter Kristin Ess Signature Hair Gloss, a shine-boosting solution that comes in eight hues, ranging from Smoky Topaz (a medium, natural bronde) to Ruby (medium red).—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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The delay should also have a beneficial effect on EA, which has struggled in the stock market due to mediocre business in its EA Sports FC 25 game, the soccer title previously published with the FIFA name.—
Brendan Coffey,
Sportico.com,
2 May 2025
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In Rochelle Dowden-Lord’s debut, Lush, four wine experts—a wunderkind sommelier, a food writer, a social media influencer, and the owner of a popular, but mediocre wine brand—are invited to a French vineyard for the weekend.—
Shannon Carlin,
Time,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Things get better and worse and better, happier and sadder and so on, as the couple travels through eight episodes of mostly ordinary drama — jealousy and insecurity, mopiness and mooniness, desolation and elation, miscommunication and reconciliation — on the way to maturity.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2025
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The royal family joined the 1,800-strong congregation in a national two-minute silence to reflect on and remember the sacrifices and heroism of the armed forces and the stoicism of ordinary people during the war.—
Simon Perry,
People.com,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Most therapists deal with patients who are either burned out or burning out: exhausted, stressed, feeling cynical and even indifferent.—
Ian Kerner,
CNN Money,
3 May 2025
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Haley was found guilty on all counts — using excessive force, being deliberately indifferent, witness tampering and conspiracy to witness tamper.—
Jack Armstrong,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Middling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/middling. Accessed 12 May. 2025.
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