Synonyms of rate

rate 1 of 3

noun

ˈrāt 

1

as in quality

degree of excellence

not being of the first rate, these apples are usually sold as food for livestock

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quality
• grade
• standard
• caliber
• stature
• class
• rank
• status
• position
• criterion
• measure
• hallmark
• place
• standing
• benchmark
• footing
• mark
• par
• yardstick
• touchstone

2

as in ratio

the relationship in quantity, amount, or size between two or more things

the exchange rate was 10 pesos to the dollar when we visited Mexico

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ratio
• frequency
• average
• proportion
• percentage
• correspondence

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disproportion

rate

2 of 3

verb (1)

1

as in to deserve

to be or make worthy of (as a reward or punishment)

how does a summer intern rate a new computer when I've been told to make do with this clunker?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deserve
• earn
• merit
• qualify
• entitle

2

as in to estimate

to make an approximate or tentative judgment regarding

nowadays most motorists would probably rate their cell phone as an "essential" piece of electronic equipment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• estimate
• value
• assess
• evaluate
• appraise
• set
• guesstimate
• valuate
• analyze
• price
• ascertain
• learn
• deem
• determine
• discover
• prize
• judge
• test
• adjudge
• survey
• assay
• decide
• reevaluate
• reassess
• revalue
• reappraise
• underestimate
• undervalue
• transvalue
• settle
• misjudge
• transvaluate
• rejudge
• misprize
• misesteem

3

as in to rank

to take or have a certain position within a group arranged in vertical classes

a restaurant that consistently rates high in all the standard categories

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rank
• be
• place
• grade
• stand
• seed
• count
• class
• group
• classify
• sort
• categorize
• codify
• set
• install
• separate
• instate
• compartmentalize

4

as in to consider

to think of in a particular way

I would rate her my best friend; after all, she's always been there when I needed her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• consider
• regard
• count
• call
• view
• account
• believe
• look (on or upon)
• think
• feel
• hold
• set down
• take for
• esteem
• reckon
• imagine
• deem
• sense
• conceive
• fancy

rate

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to scold

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings

a tyrannical father who usually spent most of dinnertime rating his children on their alleged multitude of failings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scold
• lecture
• reprimand
• blame
• criticize
• call down
• rail (at or against)
• jaw
• score
• dress down
• rag
• chew out
• attack
• fault
• bawl out
• lay into
• ream (out)
• rant (at)
• berate
• tongue-lash
• upbraid
• flay
• read the riot act (to)
• rebuke
• reproach
• chastise
• hammer
• mock
• admonish
• keelhaul
• take to task
• baste
• lambaste
• castigate
• remonstrate (with)
• knock
• pan
• condemn
• chide
• abuse
• slam
• lash
• lace (into)
• blast
• scourge
• censure
• denounce
• crucify
• revile
• harangue
• disparage
• reprove
• assail
• ridicule
• excoriate
• reprehend
• scorn
• belittle
• scoff
• vituperate
• dis
• put down
• bad-mouth

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• endorse
• sanction
• praise
• extol
• laud

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rate are appraise, assess, estimate, evaluate, and value. While all these words mean "to judge something with respect to its worth or significance," rate adds to estimate the notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values.

a highly rated restaurant

When might appraise be a better fit than rate?

The words appraise and rate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, appraise commonly implies the fixing by an expert of the monetary worth of a thing, but it may be used of any critical judgment.

having their house appraised

When could assess be used to replace rate?

Although the words assess and rate have much in common, assess implies a critical appraisal for the purpose of understanding or interpreting, or as a guide in taking action.

officials are trying to assess the damage

When is estimate a more appropriate choice than rate?

The meanings of estimate and rate largely overlap; however, estimate implies a judgment, considered or casual, that precedes or takes the place of actual measuring or counting or testing out.

estimated the crowd at two hundred

When is it sensible to use evaluate instead of rate?

The synonyms evaluate and rate are sometimes interchangeable, but evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary.

evaluate a student's work

How do value and appraise relate to one another, in the sense of rate?

Value equals appraise but without implying expertness of judgment.

a watercolor valued by the donor at $500

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rate

Noun

The pacemaker transformed cardiac medicine by dramatically increasing survival rates for patients with arrhythmias and heart block, becoming one of the most important life-saving medical technologies ever created. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026

Follow the fertilizer manufacturer's recommendations for application rates. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 28 May 2026

Verb

Minnesota stood out as the most improved between 2019 and 2024 - the state reduced the share of road miles rated as poor by more than 60%. —Camila Domonoske, NPR, 28 May 2026

The Cook Political Report rates the district as a toss-up. —Sofia Baltodano, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026

Phrases Containing rate

• at any rate