rank 1 of 3

rank

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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 United States ranked 35th out of 46 globally in the study's personal finance ranking, just missing the bottom 10. Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025 The prize now ranks among the largest in the game’s history, with a cash value of $589 million before taxes. Priya Kaur, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
Space Command is the US military’s 11th combatant command, joining the ranks of US Central Command, which oversees operations in the Middle East, and US Special Operations Command, which oversees Special Operations Forces. Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025 Following are the North Shore high schools according to their rank in the state. Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Cosby’s good guys do things that outpace the rankest villainy in the work of other crime writers. Vulture Editors, Vulture, 8 July 2025 Just last week, as millions of Americans took to the skies, June 27 and June 29 now rank as the seventh and eighth busiest days respectively in TSA history, pushing 2025 to claim six of the agency's top 10 busiest days on record. Doc Louallen, ABC News, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for rank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank
Verb
  • For the southern half of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, there is a chance for above-normal precipitation for December-February.
    Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • From biotech breakthroughs to billiards, Brian Gossett continues to expand his vision—proving that with the right mindset, there are no limits to where opportunity can lead.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The star, classified as IRAS 04302+2247, or IRAS 04302, is a protostar, with its disk measuring at around 40 billion miles (65 billion km) wide.
    Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • It was classified as a heritage site in 1995 and then as a national monument in 1997.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Xavier earned a top 30 RPI ranking in each of his last three seasons, becoming one of 12 programs nationally to achieve that feat.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2025
  • The city was even recognized as having some of the worst drivers in America, according to a Forbes ranking in 2024.
    Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • There is power in affording others the human dignity that all of God’s children deserve.
    Russell M. Nelson, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Nusbaum, the Saint Mary’s College education professor, said Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training, along with crisis teams in schools, would help maintain the dignity of students and the safety of the teachers.
    IndyStar, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The row over the rebate may have other unwanted side-effects.
    Ian King, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
  • September’s total lunar eclipse is painting the moon red, but Americans won’t be in the front row.
    Priya Kaur, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • While Greene didn't win in the best supporting actor category, the movie was named the year's Best Picture.
    Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • When inquiring about a networking organization, understanding the differences among the most prominent categories could further inform a business owner’s decisions.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Hunger was rampant as food became increasingly scarce, and more than 20,000 Palestinians had been killed, according to Gaza health officials.
    Tom Bowman, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
  • In an era when burnout is rampant and toxicity too often goes unchallenged, Curative Culture is a blueprint for workplaces that dare to be agents of healing.
    Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Rank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.

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