Synonyms of order

order 1 of 2

noun

1

as in sequence

the way objects in space or events in time are arranged or follow one another

you always keep your books in perfect alphabetical order

we haven't found out the order of the speeches yet

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sequence
• ordering
• arrangement
• distribution
• disposal
• setup
• disposition
• continuity
• priority
• array
• layout
• precedence
• chain
• series
• procession
• succession
• alignment
• system
• design
• structure
• progression
• pattern
• alinement
• aligning
• alining
• lining up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disorder
• disruption
• confusion
• upset
• disorganization
• disconnection
• disjointedness

2

as in organization

a group of persons formally joined together for some common interest

a religious order

Synonyms & Similar Words

• organization
• institution
• institute
• society
• association
• chamber
• board
• fraternity
• brotherhood
• council
• group
• commune
• consortium
• college
• collective
• league
• guild
• chapter
• community
• team
• club
• cadre
• gild
• fellowship
• congress
• partnership
• alliance
• circle
• set
• coalition
• sodality
• cooperative
• body
• squad
• camp
• party
• crew
• clique
• clan
• combine
• fold
• branch
• bloc
• membership
• junta
• coterie
• faithful
• confederacy
• conspiracy
• outfit
• band
• sorority
• ring
• local
• lot
• cartel
• syndicate
• gang
• sisterhood
• cabal
• junto
• camarilla
• camorra
• klatsch
• klatch

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

• type
• kind
• sort
• stripe
• genre
• variety
• breed
• nature
• description
• manner
• species
• kidney
• class
• like
• strain
• persuasion
• category
• model
• feather
• sample
• ilk
• group
• set
• specimen
• family
• grouping
• bracket
• suite
• division
• grade
• rank(s)
• bunch
• lot

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

• medal
• medallion
• decoration
• honor
• title
• insignia
• trophy
• gold
• ribbon
• silver
• crown
• award
• button
• prize
• badge
• bronze
• clasp
• laurel
• star
• color
• citation
• distinction
• commendation
• rosette
• chevron
• cockade
• ensign

5

as in shape

a state of being or fitness

finally got the car back in working order

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shape
• condition
• health
• form
• repair
• keeping
• estate
• practice
• trim
• kilter
• nick
• situation
• phase
• practise
• status
• pass
• stage
• fettle
• posture
• rank
• scene
• picture
• standing
• footing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disorder
• disrepair

6

as in instruction

a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned

the commander issued an order that the number of guards for the prisoner be doubled

Synonyms & Similar Words

• instruction
• do
• edict
• direction
• directive
• injunction
• commandment
• command
• imperative
• requirement
• charge
• decree
• word
• dictate
• demand
• behest
• mandate
• law
• rule
• prescription
• regulation
• countermand
• ordinance
• counterorder
• statute
• precept
• prescript

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• petition
• appeal
• plea
• proposal
• recommendation
• suggestion
• urging
• entreaty

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

• class
• level
• rank
• caste
• echelon
• stratum
• folk
• estate
• gentry
• layer
• status
• tier
• bracket
• position
• hierarchy
• grade
• place
• family
• grouping
• standing
• stratification
• people
• race
• food chain
• tribe
• fraternity
• clan
• subcaste

8

as in category

one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic

regards draftees as an entirely different order of soldier and less desirable than volunteers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• type
• category
• kind
• sort
• group
• classification
• tier
• set
• family
• section
• class
• species
• bracket
• variety
• genus
• generation
• rank(s)
• league
• rubric
• grade
• division
• breed
• description
• manner
• subgroup
• kidney
• specialty
• nature
• race
• subdivision
• branch
• subclass
• like
• subspecies
• speciality
• heading
• label
• title
• feather
• ilk

order

2 of 2

verb

ˈȯr-dər 

1

as in to arrange

to put into a particular arrangement

I've ordered all of my CDs according to type of music

he likes to order his life so that there are few surprises

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arrange
• organize
• classify
• systematize
• dispose
• codify
• place
• array
• marshall
• range
• marshal
• draw up
• lay out
• groom
• align
• sequence
• line
• display
• file
• prioritize
• set
• make up
• queue
• straighten (up)
• line up
• set out
• cue
• spruce (up)
• unscramble
• tidy (up)
• alphabetize
• aline
• hierarchize
• emplace
• map (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disarray
• upset
• disarrange
• derange
• disorder
• mess (up)
• muss (up)
• rumple

2

as in to request

to give a request or demand for

the players ordered hamburgers for lunch

Synonyms & Similar Words

• request
• requisition
• call for
• put in (for)
• ask (for)
• hire
• license
• charter
• solicit
• licence
• commission

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

• request
• ask
• dictate
• require
• direct
• mandate
• demand
• call for
• call
• command
• decree
• ordain
• petition

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cancel
• rescind
• countermand

4

as in to instruct

to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority

the police officer ordered the crowd to back away from the suspect

Synonyms & Similar Words

• instruct
• tell
• ask
• command
• bid
• direct
• enjoin
• advise
• beg
• boss (around)
• charge
• request
• require
• warn
• petition
• appoint
• adjure
• compel
• force
• authorize
• manage
• beseech
• control
• assign
• counsel
• supervise
• conduct
• oblige
• entreat
• coerce
• constrain
• oversee
• lead
• commission
• superintend

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mind
• keep
• follow
• obey
• observe
• comply (with)

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

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

Trump last week ordered a minimum 10% tax on nearly everything the U.S. buys from other countries. —Terry Gross, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025

The judge also ordered them to stay out of D.C. and museums nationwide, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. —Michael Loria, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025

Phrases Containing order

• in order
• in short order
• on the order of
• peck order
• pecking order