1
as in to be
to take or have a certain position within a group arranged in vertical classes
my favorite pitcher ranks first in the league for number of consecutive outs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type
most critics would rank him among our best actors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in ranking
the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement
attained the highest rank in the Freemasons
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in dignity
high position within society
remembered as a woman of rank who socialized only with other members of the elite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in category
usually ranks plural
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic
this book will someday join the ranks of the world's great novels
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in rampant
growing thickly and vigorously
covered with trumpet vines so rank you couldn't see the trellis beneath them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stinking
having an unpleasant smell
smokes rank cigars that usually send me running for fresh air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obvious
very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad
the article about fairy tales was full of rank errors, such as a reference to "Cinderella biting into the poisoned apple"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in absolute
having no exceptions or restrictions
a sidewalk sale of art works by rank amateurs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 rank
Rachel Barber, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
According to the report, the state’s 3.14 homeless per 1,000 residents ranks ninth nationally.
—Derek Draplin | The Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2025
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Hall's early retirement marks the latest high-profile departure from the NIH, which has seen its ranks of top scientists gutted through oustings and layoffs under the Trump administration since February.
—Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2025
Katharina Buchholz, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Brownfield to wetlands: Pima county officials plan green future for contaminated facility
Finally, John Leos visited Tucson to meet with some of the folks who are trying to clean-up a wastewater treatment plant that, for years, filled surrounding areas with a pretty rank odor.
—Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rank
Verb
In a survey of more than 15,000 users after its rollout in 2024, 90% of respondents ranked their experience as excellent or above average.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
According to the report, the state’s 3.14 homeless per 1,000 residents ranks ninth nationally.
—Derek Draplin | The Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
Voices Calmes: The case that proves the U.S., under Trump, no longer stands for rule of law
April 16, 2025
The ranks of Munger, Tolles used to include one Usha Vance, who resigned in the summer after her husband, JD, was chosen as Trump’s vice presidential running mate and avenging mini-me.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Hall's early retirement marks the latest high-profile departure from the NIH, which has seen its ranks of top scientists gutted through oustings and layoffs under the Trump administration since February.
—Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Only Tokio is expected to remain, albeit in rank 3, while Osaka/Kyoto is expected to fall as far as rank 13 by 2040, down from formerly rank 3.
—Katharina Buchholz, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Brownfield to wetlands: Pima county officials plan green future for contaminated facility
Finally, John Leos visited Tucson to meet with some of the folks who are trying to clean-up a wastewater treatment plant that, for years, filled surrounding areas with a pretty rank odor.
—Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank
Verb
-
There were a couple of Palm Beach restaurants added to the Bib Gourmand list, too: aioli and Palm Beach Meats, both from West Palm Beach.—
Connie Ogle,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
-
At this time, there is no information on the containment of the fire and the cause of it has yet to be determined.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the Western Santa Cruz tortoises as critically endangered, estimating approximately 3,400 tortoises remained as of 2010.—
Ayana Archie,
NPR,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Kathleen Kelley Reardon, an expert on organizational politics, classifies political environments from minimally to pathologically politicized.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Moana also returned to the movie rankings after two weeks outside the top 10 with 223 million minutes.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
-
That’s high praise for a player who until pretty recently was just trying to finish number-one in the PGA Tour University rankings.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Many Cambodians, particularly in the countryside, welcomed the Khmer Rouge, with its mix of hard-line communist ideology and extreme Cambodian nationalism, as liberators who promised to restore order and dignity.—
Sophal Ear,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The importance of connection and socialization is evident every day in Florida’s assisted living communities, a communal long-term care setting designed to provide seniors with a sense of dignity, independence and belonging.—
Gail Matillo,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Crabgrass preventer products must be applied before crabgrass begins to germinate after soil temperatures reach 55 degrees Fahrenheit for several days in a row.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2025
-
This is the fourth time in a row that the Clippers played the Nuggets in a playoff game and lost despite leading by double digits.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
For instance, the international feature category currently honors the submitting country, not the director — even though the director’s name is engraved on the Oscar statuette.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The category’s inaugural Oscar will be given out in 2028 at the 100th Academy Awards, honoring films released in 2027.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Of course, there has also been rampant speculation that Styles could be the latest marquee WWE star to jump ship to AEW.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Obviously the rampant physical comedy benefits from a lot of special effects and stunts.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This is about a team with a top-10 payroll whose GM committed too stinking much of it to dogs that can’t, or won’t, pull the sled.—
Sean Keeler,
The Denver Post,
22 Dec. 2019
-
Muttaiah said the man inside the stinking manhole was working without any safety equipment — no gloves, no shoes, no supplemental oxygen.—
Joanna Slater,
Washington Post,
16 Dec. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Rank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share