order 1 of 2

1
2
3
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

5
6
7
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

8

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
Both types of ovens could also be malfunctioning as the result of a faulty thermostat, which tells the oven when and when not to run a heating cycle in order to maintain the preset temperature. Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Jan. 2025 Italian law stipulates the rules for where and how the cheese can be produced, including how long it’s aged, in order to be called Parmigiano-Reggiano. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
Netflix has ordered a Little House on the Prairie series, 40-plus years after a long-running adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved books aired its last episode on NBC. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Jan. 2025 He was given probation and ordered to attend 52 weeks of a domestic violence intervention program. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 29 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for order 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for order
Noun
  • That included an eight-save sequence in the third, in which Arlington pulled John Snider (21 saves) for all 1:34 of a 4-on-4 down 3-1 with 5:09 left – and kept him off for a 26-second 6-on-4 advantage.
    Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The average Premier League team have 57 sequences per match that start in the attacking half.
    Mark Carey, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Three different streaming outlets — Max, Netflix and Paramount+ — were among the top winners at the duPont-Columbia Awards, some of the top honors accorded each year to audio and video reporting done in the public interest, while some of the usual news organizations named each year were not.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025
  • According to a civil complaint filed on Wednesday that details the accusations, the girl was an active member of Refuge of Hope, part of the broader Assemblies of God religion and organization.
    Shayla Colon, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Right before Thanksgiving, Biden awarded the medal, known as the United States’ highest civilian honor, to Cecile Richards.
    Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review, 27 Jan. 2025
  • The 2024 men’s Olympic team won medals in nine of 10 individual track races, the most for any country since the first time that all of those events were part of the Olympic program in 1920.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 25 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • After a heart attack, scar tissue often forms to allow the organ to keep its shape, but the downside is that this tissue doesn’t beat.
    Michael Irving, New Atlas, 18 Jan. 2025
  • There is always the human form on the one hand, and lines and shapes on the other.
    E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Even as President Donald Trump recently obliterated the federal government’s support for DEI, his executive order leaves academic instruction untouched.
    Matt Beienburg, National Review, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Everyday robes should be washed regularly, following the instructions on the care tag.
    Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The Clippers have some clear long-term objectives, such as keeping the powder dry for the 2026 and 2027 free-agent classes.
    Eric Koreen, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
  • But climate change poses an existential threat to all Californians, regardless of political affiliation, class, or celebrity.
    Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Over the weekend, Trump administration officials arranged another ride-along, that time in Chicago, for the daytime TV talk show star Dr. Phil McGraw.
    Brian Stelter, CNN, 28 Jan. 2025
  • The company arranged for two Fox Sports personnel, Julian Edelman and Charissa Thompson, to do a tease of sorts just before kickoff of Fox’s Sunday telecast of the NFC Championship.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Many visitors will seek out her section near the T-Mobile entrance gate by Lot M, and co-workers have requested to work directly with her.
    Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The program enabled 1,450 people a day to schedule appointments at a port of entry to request asylum.
    Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near order

Cite this Entry

“Order.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/order. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on order

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!