range 1 of 2

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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
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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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5
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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6
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

range

2 of 2

verb

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

4

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
In day care, dogs are introduced to a range of new experiences while also learning positive behaviors such as sitting calmly for a nail trim, greeting other dogs politely, or coming when called. Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 An acid wash, pleated jeans and paint-splatter print overalls are some of the nostalgic highlights in the toddler range. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
This season is no different, as tons of pet brands just unveiled their latest collections of Halloween costumes for pets, with styles ranging from funny Halloween costumes for dogs (like a Dunkin' worker) to spooky Halloween costumes for cats. Kyley Warren, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025 The ripple effect across the economy, ranging from steel and glass to paint and widget firms, is enormous, and all those workers are consumers. Jeff Kingston, Time, 4 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for range
Recent Examples of Synonyms for range
Noun
  • Just off Helen Highway, the coffee shop opens onto rolling pastures dotted with grazing cows and sweeping views of Yonah Mountain.
    Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Barns and fenced pastures, along with several greenhouses, hoop houses, and other agrarian outbuildings, make up the property’s farming facilities.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And by looking at the broader scope of medical data, these researchers found that almost all the cases did have traditional, modifiable risks in their chart before developing cardiovascular disease, Cheng said.
    Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The scale and influence of Nashville's healthcare industry cluster is national in scope, generating more than half a million jobs globally, according to the Council.
    Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • De Bethune departed from its signature blue in September, releasing a new version of the DB25 Starry Varius at the opposite end of the color spectrum.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
  • On the other side of the spectrum, three executives thought Hill would only be worth a late-round pick swap because of teams’ reservations over Hill’s off-field concerns.
    Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Imagine the cotton sweatpants styled with the wool coat and V-neck sweater for a Sunday stroll, or a pop of red peeking out from underneath a leather or shearling jacket.
    Minty Mellon, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The bear took a brief stroll through the aisles of the store, but ended up leaving empty handed, according to Charlie Alolkoy, a resident who was shopping at the time.
    Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • There’s not many teams that can put four guys that don’t start into the game [on the offensive line] and feel confident about going and winning a game, especially on the road.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The offensive line couldn’t keep Fields on his feet, and Fields often held on to the ball too long.
    Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Besides a one- or two-burner stove (see the Kickstarter page for compatible models), the Dialed Camp Kitchen is designed to hold enough third-party gear to cook for up to four people.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Cozy lodge rooms sleep two to four; groups of four can also opt for the yurt, which has a rustic kitchen and is heated with a wood stove.
    Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The species was found in a cold stream, and its habitat is threatened by tourism and habitat destruction.
    Real-Time News team, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Loss of habitat and use of pesticides have shrunk the mascot’s numbers.
    Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The cause was classified as norovirus, a contagious virus that causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and is commonly known as the stomach flu.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Both the Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball classify the race as a likely victory for Spanberger.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Range.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/range. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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