range 1 of 2

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as in pasture
open land over which livestock may roam and feed knew exactly how many head of cattle were turned out on the range that morning to graze

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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as in spectrum
the distance or extent between possible extremes an actor who can go through the full range of emotion, from joy to sorrow, in mere minutes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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5
as in line
a series of persons or things arranged one behind another from the air, the mountain range stretched as far as we could see in both directions

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as in stove
an appliance that prepares food for consumption by heating it the high-end appliances include a professional-quality gas range

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as in habitat
the place where a plant or animal is usually or naturally found the American robin's winter range has steadily extended farther and farther north

Synonyms & Similar Words

range

2 of 2

verb

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as in to vary
to occur within a continuous range of variation the color of Florida grapefruit can range anywhere from pale pink to ruby red

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun range differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of range are compass, gamut, orbit, scope, and sweep. While all these words mean "the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control)," range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities.

the entire range of human experience

When might compass be a better fit than range?

Although the words compass and range have much in common, compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

When could gamut be used to replace range?

While the synonyms gamut and range are close in meaning, gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

Where would orbit be a reasonable alternative to range?

The meanings of orbit and range largely overlap; however, orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation.

within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

When is scope a more appropriate choice than range?

While in some cases nearly identical to range, scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

When is it sensible to use sweep instead of range?

The synonyms sweep and range are sometimes interchangeable, but sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

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 range
Noun
That mix of fruits and vegetables gives your body a wider range of vitamins, minerals, and protective plant compounds that support overall health and may lower cancer risk. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 10 Oct. 2025 Mitchell carried that late-season momentum into the postseason, totaling nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from three-point range in overtime of the Heat’s playoff-clinching win over the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in tournament on April 18. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
The gold Mega Ball ranges from 1 to 24. Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025 Both winter hiking and snowshoeing are popular in the colder months, and there are many trails throughout the region—ranging from short walks to longer, more strenuous hikes. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for range
Recent Examples of Synonyms for range
Noun
  • The Americans pushed inland through the bocage, a landscape of fields or pastures, divided by immense hedgerows, weeds, bushes, and trees.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Instead of grazing or eating in pastures, fields, or on range lands, animals are given food.
    Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • While measuring long-term effects was outside the study’s scope, the team believes lasting impacts would have been minimal.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
  • But the doctor said the follow-up scope was necessary to check for cancer.
    Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The list recognizes a thriving segment of the entertainment industry that includes storytellers across the religious spectrum who are offering up compelling and creative experiences featuring faith and spirituality for broad audiences.
    Variety Staff, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
  • On the other end of the spectrum was North Dakota, which was ranked the worst state for hiking on the list.
    Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Take a stroll downtown to spot miniature pumpkins dangling from the oaks along Main Street, or meander down smaller streets to find oversized skeletons by the sidewalks and witches’ hats strung overhead.
    Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
  • From strolls on the beach to walking around a new neighborhood.
    Emily Strohm, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The percentage indicates how much of the fire perimeter has been surrounded by a control line.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Even in a game when rookie left tackle Josh Simmons was a late scratch because of an unspecified personal matter, the offensive line with Jaylon Moore filling in for Simmons was virtually seamless.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • These two ingredients are packed with flavor, and save you a lot of time trying to track down multiple spices or cook down beans on the stove.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
    Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The commission’s decision Thursday at a meeting in Redondo Beach came after years of back-and-forth between Levy and the Coastal Commission over a string of allegations related to public access, unpermitted construction, and habitat preservation requirements.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
  • By studying the birds’ nests, including those that are no longer in use, researchers can better understand factors that make habitats suitable, such as the basis of their diet or the effects of pesticides in the area, Margalida said.
    Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • What Happens Next FDA inspectors will classify the recall one of three hazard levels, from the lowest risk, Class III, to the highest, Class I.
    News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Dividing her time between London and Los Angeles, Porras-Kim has historically examined the methods institutions use to classify, conserve, and interpret items in their collections, focusing on objects and forms of knowledge that have been separated from their original contexts.
    News Desk, Artforum, 8 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Range.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/range. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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