rank 1 of 3

Definition of ranknext

rank

2 of 3

noun

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
3
as in row
a series of people or things arranged side by side rank upon rank of cavalry came thundering down the hill

Synonyms & Similar Words

4

rank

3 of 3

adjective

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

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word rank distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of rank are fetid, fusty, malodorous, musty, noisome, putrid, and stinking. While all these words mean "bad-smelling," rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell.

rank cigar smoke

How do fusty and musty relate to one another, in the sense of rank?

Both fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age.

a fusty attic
the musty odor of a damp cellar

When is malodorous a more appropriate choice than rank?

The synonyms malodorous and rank are sometimes interchangeable, but malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive.

malodorous fertilizers

In what contexts can noisome take the place of rank?

While the synonyms noisome and rank are close in meaning, noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive.

a stagnant, noisome sewer

When might putrid be a better fit than rank?

Although the words putrid and rank have much in common, putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter.

the putrid smell of rotting fish

How are the words stinking and fetid related as synonyms of rank?

Both stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.

prisoners were held in stinking cells
the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

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
Verb
The airport had 596,583 flights in 2024—an 11% increase from 2023, when it was ranked seventh internationally. Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026 Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Illinois also rank among the bottom five on the index. Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
Following a coach who steps up within the power conference ranks has also been a frequent occurrence. Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026 He was posthumously promoted to the rank of first sergeant, according to the Israeli government. Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Last year a rank Angus cow, unbranded, unclaimed, and unpredictable as a prairie fire, holed up in the slough. Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 20 Nov. 2025 His Philly teams have never finished worse than 14th in total yardage, yet currently rank 23rd. Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank
Verb
  • And there are signs that assumptions about men’s unwillingness to use such products are eroding.
    Ana Castelain, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
  • There are more of us than there will ever be of them.
    Katherine Packert Burke, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The school, which has around five hundred students, does not ask parents to report their immigration status, but more than half the kids are classified as English-language learners.
    Emily Witt, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The Helix is classified as a Part 103 ultralight aircraft, the same regulatory class as a hang glider.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In general the editors gave it a low ranking, citing a lack of flavor and a strong aftertaste.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
  • But one recent prospect ranking dropped an Elly comparison onto a teenager buried deep in the Phillies’ farm system.
    Anthony Stitt, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Protecting human dignity and human lives is.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The rejection of bedrock Christian values such as dignity, mercy, and compassion did not start with the crisis in Minnesota.
    Hillary Rodham Clinton, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The actress wore pieces from the Tiffany Knot collection, including a double row necklace in rose gold with diamonds, earrings in rose gold with pavé diamonds, double row ring in rose gold and two double row rings in rose gold with diamonds.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The show’s initial cast, all of whom were writers as well, featured a murderer’s row of comic talent in Candy, Joe Flaherty, Levy, Andrea Martin, O’Hara, Harold Ramis and Dave Thomas; Moranis joined later in the show’s run, as did Martin Short.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Taken together, the list reads like a snapshot of a category that’s evolving quickly while still holding onto its roots.
    Emily Price, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • That category is now under the purview of Sequino, president of Lauder’s makeup brand cluster, who returned to the company after stints as chief executive officer of both JLo Beauty and Supergoop.
    James Manso, Footwear News, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • This rises to 73% of those in tech roles, where layoffs have been most rampant.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Given rampant grade inflation, an internship can be the most important differentiator for recent graduate hiring.
    Brandon Busteed, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • But even across the EP’s brief 18 minutes, Hunt makes clear that there are still corners in this world ripe for discovery, mysterious doorways looming in the landscape, waiting to be traversed.
    Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Des Moines school district leaders' plans to transform a deteriorating elementary school into an arts academy could be stalled — or denied — as city leaders say the building is ripe for historic landmark status.
    Virginia Barreda, Des Moines Register, 25 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

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