order 1 of 2

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2
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as in type
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common collects movie posters, photographs and autographs of the stars, and other memorabilia of that order

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in medal
a piece of metal given in honor of a special event, a person, or an achievement a book with full-color illustrations of British orders and decorations

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in class
one of the segments of society into which people are grouped the lower orders were once expected to be content living out their lives as servants to the upper classes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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order

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to request
to give a request or demand for the players ordered hamburgers for lunch

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in to ask
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority the teacher ordered that everyone sit down immediately and be quiet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb order contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of order are arrange, marshal, methodize, organize, and systematize. While all these words mean "to put persons or things into their proper places in relation to each other," order suggests a straightening out so as to eliminate confusion.

ordered her business affairs

Where would arrange be a reasonable alternative to order?

The words arrange and order are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, arrange implies a setting in sequence, relationship, or adjustment.

arranged the files numerically

When can marshal be used instead of order?

The meanings of marshal and order largely overlap; however, marshal suggests gathering and arranging in preparation for a particular operation or effective use.

marshaling the facts for argument

When would methodize be a good substitute for order?

While in some cases nearly identical to order, methodize suggests imposing an orderly procedure rather than a fixed scheme.

methodizes every aspect of daily living

When might organize be a better fit than order?

In some situations, the words organize and order are roughly equivalent. However, organize implies arranging so that the whole aggregate works as a unit with each element having a proper function.

organized the volunteers into teams

In what contexts can systematize take the place of order?

The synonyms systematize and order are sometimes interchangeable, but systematize implies arranging according to a predetermined scheme.

systematized billing procedures

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 order
Noun
Her decision to turn down the Apple beat at the Journal in 2007, the year the iPhone was released, in order to pursue an M.F.A. in fiction propels an exploration of how much human creativity depends on the ideas and labor of others. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025 The Justice Department asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit to halt that order, and while its request was pending, asked the Supreme Court to intervene. Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
But last week, the Trump administration ordered him to halt all the lab’s ALS research immediately as part of a more than $2.2 billion federal funding freeze. Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025 The mother-daughter duo quickly became fan favorites, and soon enough, TLC ordered a spinoff series that followed Alana and her family, which included June’s then-partner Mike. Mckinley Franklin, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for order
Recent Examples of Synonyms for order
Noun
  • In just one transporting sequence that’s almost too much to take in, Coogler traces a line from the blues of the 1930s back to its origins and forward to its influences on funk and beyond.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This detonation will spew material at the other white dwarf, triggering the same devastating sequence.
    Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Reality Check is a Bee series holding officials and organizations accountable and shining a light on their decisions.
    Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Endowments are managed in a way that those organizations can rely on them for support in the here-and-now, but also far into the foreseeable future.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Pally was courtside for the game and subsequent medal ceremony when cameras caught Curry tossing up a Mr. Throwback reference — chubby cheeks — from the podium.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Nobody will be giving out any medals when Blue Origin’s eleventh crewed space flight leaves the ground.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • For now, the economy remains in solid shape by several key measures.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Its rectangular shape evokes a vintage cigarette pouch, and every detail harks back to the fashion house’s extensive, industry-defining legacy.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Or, to extrapolate Anderson’s hacks to this example, creating a competition with a sales incentive would be significantly more impactful than barking instructions.
    Michelle Stansbury, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Something as simple as following care instructions can go a long way in keeping our favorite pieces looking better for longer.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Following Bradshaw’s commitment, Texas Tech’s class of 2026 is rated No. 22 in the nation, according to 247Sports.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2025
  • SSRIs are a subsection of the larger class of antidepressants.
    Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Lithos arranges for the dust to be collected at the rock quarries and transported to local farms.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The California Academy of Sciences and East Bay Regional Parks arranged for the whale to be towed to Angel Island State Park by a private towing service so that a necropsy could be conducted, according to a statement from the Marine Mammal Center and California Academy of Sciences.
    Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This casserole is creamy, cheesy, and is one the whole family (especially the grandkids) request time after time.
    Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
  • As his May 5 trial looms, Combes earlier this week requested a postponement of the legal proceeding.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Order.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/order. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

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