rate 1 of 3

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

Relevance
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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?

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2
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

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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

rate

3 of 3

verb (2)

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

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 rate
Noun
The 1-year LPR influences corporate and most household loans in China, while the 5-year LPR serves as a benchmark for mortgage rates. Anniek Bao, CNBC, 20 June 2025 Hiring could pick up if the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, boosting business activity, according to Hetrick. Ani Freedman, Fortune, 20 June 2025
Verb
Liverpool rate him very highly as a player, valuing his potential and versatility in attacking positions, and have been impressed by his ability to contribute in big moments. Andy Jones, New York Times, 19 June 2025 Parents' grades for schools also improved, with 40 percent rating their child's school an A, marking a notable rise from 33 percent in the previous year. Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for rate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rate
Noun
  • For mental stamina, practices like mindfulness, quality sleep, and a strong social network are key.
    Jakob Roze, Health, 19 June 2025
  • Most unfold through cumulative harms: where a landfill is sited, where flooding recurs, or how air quality slowly declines over generations.
    Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • Trading close to $270, CRM’s P/S ratio of 6.7x is below its three-year average of 8.6x.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • As the ratio of retiree to workers changes these programs become financially insolvent.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rate. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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