order 1 of 2

Definition of ordernext
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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
The judge in the case said CBP should use standard procedures to issue refunds and importers that paid IEEPA tariffs should not have to file lawsuits in order to guarantee that they’re paid out. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 13 Mar. 2026 Quickly, everyone form an impenetrable mass in front of the four feet of bar while the solitary bartender struggles to hear anyone’s order! Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
He wasn’t ordered to evacuate the building. Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026 According to court documents, a judge denied Holmes’ request for immunity and ordered him to stand trial. Robert A. Cronkleton march 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for order
Recent Examples of Synonyms for order
Noun
  • The pattern reinforces how your muscles fire in sequence and how your body transfers force during related movements.
    Dana Santas, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
  • That’s why Propp suggests trying it in a classroom, where many students can flip sequences of coins simultaneously.
    Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Not every organization immediately moved to cancel events or cut ties.
    Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Some medical organizations, including the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, are also opposed.
    JILL LAWLESS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Virtual participants will receive a runner kit delivered to their door, which includes a personalized virtual bib, race-day swag, and a commemorative finisher’s medal.
    Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Picking a three-time Ballon d’Or nominee who has six Premier League winners’ medals for Manchester City and 107 caps for Portugal might seem to be against the spirit of this exercise.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • This means that your desire to whip things in shape at home or with a family member might be ill-timed.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Let collaboration shape a strong plan.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The form and instructions are available there for eligible consumers.
    James Powel, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Cook the pasta shells for 1 minute less than the package instructions, about 9 minutes, then drain and spray with cooking spray, and place in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.
    Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But even when attending the opera in person was prohibitively expensive for a poorer and much larger working class, mass audiences still consumed high culture from afar.
    Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
  • To these critics, the pitfalls of feminist politics—that jealously guarded privileges of race and class keep women from uniting in the interests of their gender—are neatly symbolized in Stanton’s story.
    Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • From his first run with the Academy Awards arranging team in 2008, Walden was hooked; the job seamlessly blended his favorite parts about film scoring and classical composing.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
  • In this model, the debt consolidation program combines multiple debts — typically high-rate credit card balances — into a single monthly obligation, often through a personal loan arranged by a partner lender or debt relief company.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Takaichi and her ministers have denied that Washington officially requested Japanese warships sent to the Strait of Hormuz.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Cadillic further expressed uneasiness with the city’s move to request prior authorization through UM extending to other non-specialty medications beyond GLP-1 drugs.
    Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Order.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/order. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

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!

More from Merriam-Webster