RANGE Synonyms: 243 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'range' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of range are compass , gamut , orbit , scope , and sweep . While all these words mean "the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control)," range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities. // the entire range of human experience

Q: When might 'compass' be a better fit than 'range'?

Although the words compass and range have much in common, compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity. // your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

Q: When could 'gamut' be used to replace 'range'?

While the synonyms gamut and range are close in meaning, gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another. // a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

Q: Where would 'orbit' be a reasonable alternative to 'range'?

The meanings of orbit and range largely overlap; however, orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation. // within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

Q: When is 'scope' a more appropriate choice than 'range'?

While in some cases nearly identical to range , scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible. // as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sweep' instead of 'range'?

The synonyms sweep and range are sometimes interchangeable, but sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity. // the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

range 1 of 2

noun

ˈrānj

Definition of range next

as in pasture

open land over which livestock may roam and feed knew exactly how many head of cattle were turned out on the range that morning to graze

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in scope

an area over which activity, capacity, or influence extends didn't know she had such a wide range of knowledge until I talked to her

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as in spectrum

the distance or extent between possible extremes an actor who can go through the full range of emotion, from joy to sorrow, in mere minutes

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as in stroll

a relaxed journey on foot for exercise or pleasure they were stopped by security personnel while taking an innocent range through the palace grounds

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as in line

a series of persons or things arranged one behind another from the air, the mountain range stretched as far as we could see in both directions

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as in stove

an appliance that prepares food for consumption by heating it the high-end appliances include a professional-quality gas range

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as in habitat

the place where a plant or animal is usually or naturally found the American robin's winter range has steadily extended farther and farther north

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range

2 of 2

verb

as in to classify

to arrange or assign according to type the campers were ranged in patrols, each patrol consisting of girls in a certain age group

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to roam

to move about from place to place aimlessly she let her dog off the leash and whistled for him every now and then to make sure he didn't range out of hearing

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as in to vary

to occur within a continuous range of variation the color of Florida grapefruit can range anywhere from pale pink to ruby red

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as in to arrange

to put into a particular arrangement chairs were ranged round the perimeter of the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun range differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of range are compass, gamut, orbit, scope, and sweep. While all these words mean "the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control)," range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities.

the entire range of human experience

When might compass be a better fit than range?

Although the words compass and range have much in common, compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

When could gamut be used to replace range?

While the synonyms gamut and range are close in meaning, gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

Where would orbit be a reasonable alternative to range?

The meanings of orbit and range largely overlap; however, orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation.

within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

When is scope a more appropriate choice than range?

While in some cases nearly identical to range, scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

When is it sensible to use sweep instead of range?

The synonyms sweep and range are sometimes interchangeable, but sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

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 range

Noun

This piece is part of The Athletic’s annual NFL anonymous player survey, covering a range of topics around the league. —

The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026 The Odesa attack involved more than 50 drones, some of them models recently upgraded by Russia to improve their range and strike power, Ukrainian authorities said. —

Arkansas Online, 28 Jan. 2026

Verb

Rents would range from $888 to $2,640 a month, and priority would be given to income-eligible tenants who work in Laguna Beach, Witte said. —

Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026 The nine-deck yacht will be outfitted with 47 expansive suites ranging from 731 to 3,811 square feet. —

Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for range

Recent Examples of Synonyms for range

Noun

Other influencers picked up on the news, posting their disappointment that Vital Farms, which markets itself as pasture-raised, was also feeding its chickens a soy and corn mixture.

— Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Boise State’s program saw plenty of portal action, with 17 players from the 2025 roster opting to head for new pastures, including star safety Ty Benefield, who committed to LSU, and backup quarterback Kaleb Annett, who landed at UCF.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026

Definition of pasture

Cite this Entry

Style

“Range.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/range. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

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Last Updated: 29 Jan 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of range

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verb

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