10 Best Words Meaning “Neither Good Nor Bad”

When something is neither good nor bad, it can be hard to know which word best describes it. However, this article will help you understand a few good choices to describe this idea. Let’s look into some of the options available to you!

Which Words Can Describe Being “Neither Good Nor Bad”?

When something is not good or bad, it’s hard to know what to say. But, we recommend you try out one of these words to see which words for you:

  • Benign
  • Indifferent
  • Moderate
  • Standard
  • Ordinary
  • Average
  • Medium
  • Somewhere in between
  • Mediocre
  • Passable
Best Words To Describe “Neither Good Nor Bad”

The preferred version is “benign.” It works well to show that something is between “good” and “bad.” It’s harmless in most ways, and it’s not likely that it’ll ever be viewed as anything more than either good or bad depending on the people looking at it.

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Benign

“Benign” works well to show that something is neither good nor evil. It’s common to use when talking about medical issues like tumors that are not harmful or deadly. They are “bad” because they’re a problem in the body, but they are “good” because they cause no damage.

The definition of “benign,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “not harmful or severe.”

Check out these examples to see how it works:

  • The benign tumor in my brain seems like it’s going to stick around. I wish I could do something to change that!
  • I wish you didn’t have to have such a benign problem! I can’t stand listening to your boring problems anymore!
  • It’s not as benign as you think it is, though I can appreciate why you do. Maybe we can work on communicating better next time?

Indifferent

“Indifferent” shows a lack of care or allegiance to either “good” or “bad” things. Since we do not care where something is placed on a “goodness scale,” we simply put it in the middle to show it’s between the two.

The definition of “indifferent,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “not thinking about or interested in someone or something.”

These examples will help you with “indifferent:”

  • I’m indifferent about these matters because I know they won’t affect my family or me.
  • I’m too indifferent to make a decision on this, so I’ll leave it to you. I trust that you’ll make the right one!
  • The indifference shown by the public makes it clear that we’re doing our jobs wrong!

Moderate

“Moderate” works well to show that something is neither “good” nor “bad.” We can use the word to show that something is between the two values, and there isn’t a true way for us to measure the goodness or badness that might come from it.

The definition of “moderate,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “neither small nor large in size, amount, degree, or strength.”

Check out these examples if you want to see it in action:

  • I feel like this is far more moderate than you realize, which is why it won’t affect my decision.
  • This was a moderate outcome. I guess I expected it, but I’m still somewhat disappointed that you all chose it.
  • This was far too moderate for me to want to recreate! Come up with a better idea that might turn heads next time!

Standard

“Standard” works well to show how things should be. Ideally, “good” and “bad” are things that we should strive for or avoid. However, if something is “standard,” it means it should be acceptable to all, and we should all try and get those outcomes.

The definition of “standard,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “usual rather than special, especially when thought of as being correct or acceptable.”

Check out these examples to help you with it:

  • Honestly, their response was standard. It wasn’t helpful, but it wasn’t wasted on me either.
  • You can expect them to contact you in the standard amount of time. They won’t get in touch sooner than that.
  • I wouldn’t worry about the standard they set for you. Just do whatever you feel works best, mate!

Ordinary

“Ordinary” is a great word to use to show that someone or something is not different or special. Therefore, we can show that they are just “average” and somewhere between “good” and “bad.”

The definition of “ordinary,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “not different or special or unexpected in any way; usual.”

Check out these examples to see how it works:

  • You’re nothing short of ordinary, Patrick.
  • I think the politics in this government are ordinary, and we do not have to fear them.
  • Trust me; this is all far too ordinary to put a single care into!

Average

“Average” works to show that something is standard and between two values. Typically, we can look at “good” and “bad” as a scale, and “average” things tend to sit somewhere in the middle with no real clarification.

The definition of “average,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “a standard or level that is considered to be typical or usual.”

Some of these examples might be useful to you:

  • I think you’ve found something that’s entirely average. That’s good to know.
  • Your ideas are average, which is why I keep you here. You’ll never challenge my power.
  • I think you’ve found an average to go to, and I’ll work with what you’ve chosen.

Medium

“Medium” works well when we want to show that a value is between two amounts. In this case, the “amounts” are “good” and “bad.” This helps us to demonstrate that something is firmly in the middle and has no positive or negative effects.

The definition of “medium,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “being in the middle between an upper and lower amount, size, degree, or value.”

Why not try some of these examples to see how it works:

  • I believe there’s a happy medium that is neither good nor bad.
  • You should look into a medium that everyone will accept with minimal consequences.
  • Don’t forget to try and bargain on the medium that you get from the deal.

Somewhere In Between

“Somewhere in between” is a useful phrase for this situation. It works to show that there is a middle ground that a person or object occupies. They are neither good nor bad, so it’s up to us to place them in the middle based on their actions.

Here are some examples to help you:

  • I think Jack is somewhere in between morally corrupt and morally just; I just can’t figure it out.
  • This company is somewhere in between good and evil. I don’t know how I feel about that.
  • You’re certainly somewhere in between the two.

Mediocre

“Mediocre” works well to show that something is acceptable but not good or bad. It works to show that we can talk about things that have no profound positive or negative effect on somebody or something.

The definition of “mediocre,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “just acceptable but not good; not good enough.”

Here are some examples:

  • I expected something mediocre from you, and you managed to deliver.
  • I’m not as mediocre as many people seem to think I am.
  • I like the mediocre decisions they’re making because they have a very limited impact on the running of my company.

Passable

“Passable” works well to show that something is happily in between good and bad. It shows that something is good, but not great or bad, but not terrible. It’s the perfect happy medium that many people look for in most objects.

The definition of “passable,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “satisfactory but not excellent.”

Check out these examples to see how it works:

  • I think it’s fairly passable, which is why I’ve allowed it to go on.
  • Their politics are passable enough, and they don’t really affect me.
  • Your ideas are passable, so I think you should take them to the boss.

What Does “Neither Good Nor Bad” Mean?

Now that we’ve seen all the best words let’s check out what it means when something is neither good nor bad.

“Neither good nor bad” means that something is often harmless. It might not be the most sightly or “good” thing in nature, but it also doesn’t have a profoundly negative effect on the people or things that it’s near.

You might be a little confused about how things can be somewhere in between the scale of “good” or “bad.” The truth is, it’s a subjective matter. Many people might see certain things as “good,” while others see them as “bad,” and even more see it as somewhere in the middle.

It’s best to develop your own opinion to see what you think fits into the category of “indifference” or being “benign.”

What Are Examples Of Something That Is “Neither Good Nor Bad”?

There are a few good examples of things that are “neither good nor bad.” To help get your head around it, you could look into the following:

  • A malignant tumor (harmless, but tumors are not “good”)
  • Actors in different movie roles
  • Many scientific practices that might me morally unbalanced

You may also like:
10 Words For Something That Appears Good But Is Actually Bad
Can You Use “Nor” Without “Neither”? (Helpful Examples)