rank 1 of 3

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

2
3
4

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
Dallas wasn't far behind, ranking second with an average charge of 47 cents. Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025 In total, 16 of the album’s songs populate this week’s 50-position chart, which ranks songs based a formula blending U.S. streaming and sales totals. Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 1 May 2025
Noun
The actor will join the ranks of Demi Moore, Andy Garcia, Ali Larter, Jacob Lofland, Michelle Randolph, Paulina Chávez, Kayla Wallace, Mark Collie, James Jordan, and more. Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025 His order also states they should be reverted to their former rank and receive full back pay, benefits, bonus payments or compensation. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 29 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
  • Ten blasts were heard near the airport in the Indian Kashmir city of Srinagar and there were explosions in more locations in the contested region, other security officials added.
    USA Today, USA Today, 11 May 2025
  • Ping-pong balls numbered one through 14 are dropped into the hopper and there are a total of 1,001 possible combinations when four balls are drawn out of the 14, regardless of their order of selection.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • According to the plan, the parade would be classified as a national special security event, and that request has been submitted by the National Park Service and is under review.
    Lolita C. Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
  • Boys of Summer is classified as a fougère, a classically masculine scent categorized by herbaceous top notes (usually lavender), a floral heart, and a green, woody base.
    Ariel Wodarcyk, Glamour, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings.
    Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 4 May 2025
  • Despite the team losing the top spot in The Athletic’s most recent power rankings, playing the adjusted run line for the Dodgers remains one of my favorite bets in baseball.
    The Athletic, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • What begins as a calculated attempt to improve his parole prospects evolves into a deeply personal connection with another prisoner, reframing the protagonist’s understanding of dignity, responsibility, and redemption.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2025
  • This message of universal human dignity resonated deeply across continents and faiths.
    Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
Noun
  • Both members of the majority strength alliance were successful this episode: Kyle Fraser won a chicken and waffles reward and Joe Hunter won the coveted immunity necklace for the second time in a row.
    Emily DeLetter, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • For the third season in a row, the Knicks are going to Round 2.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • Chicken-centric chains, notably Raising Cane’s and Wingstop, were the strongest performers among all restaurant categories in 2024.
    Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
  • Viju Mathew Shifting gears from his degree in physical geography, Viju Mathew has spent the last decade covering most categories of the luxury market prior to becoming Robb Report's automotive editor.
    Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Breeding a climate of 'rumor and turmoil' Historians say papal gambling dates back at least to the 1400s and was rampant in 16th-century Rome.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 4 May 2025
  • Attacks on gender-affirming-care have been much more rampant in recent years, as 26 states have passed laws limiting access to such care for trans and nonbinary people, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 1 May 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank. Accessed 14 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rank

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!