1
2
3
as in types
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic
there are various grades of wool to consider when selecting a fabric
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in standards
something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared
that painting just doesn't make the grade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in slopes
the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon
the hill rises at a seven percent grade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in ranks
to arrange or assign according to type
grade these apples "extra fancy" and those "fancy"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in is
to take or have a certain position within a group arranged in vertical classes
believe it or not, that music grades pretty high with young teens
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 grades
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2026
The nonprofit is in fact amending its practices even further, with Binder later saying the group was removing relevant grades for nearly 500 hospitals that had also declined to participate in its surveys over the same period, which dated back to 2024.
—Trevor Bach, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026
Huseby said that almost all of the sixth-graders, about half of the seventh-graders and a quarter of the eighth-graders answer the question of the week, but all three grades engage in the silverware poll.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
Baltimore City students in grades 3 through 12 who engage in the cleanup will earn up to four service-learning hours.
—Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Students that are assigned a teacher that inflates grades are more likely to score poorly on future tests.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
Gomez spent most of her sentence teaching grades seven through 12, while Brinson taught grades four through six the next room over.
—Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
The Chancellor Gordon Brown reacted by cutting duty on ultra-low sulphur petrol, freezing duty on other grades of motor fuel, putting more vehicles into the lowest vehicle excise duty band — a tax cut for most lorries — and taxing foreign truckers using British roads.
—Ian King, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2026
The Montessori method, named for an Italian doctor in the early 20th century, prioritizes hands-on learning over grades or tests.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
Jocelyn Gecker, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Each chef has to make their best dish in 75 minutes, and each judge grades them on taste, creativity, presentation, and technique for a maximum of 20 points per judge and 60 points total.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
Everyone, to some extent, grades their romantic partner on a curve, and relationships in which partners are especially inclined to do this may be particularly strong.
—Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
That is a more suitable spot for the Jets to select Simpson, according to Kiper, who grades the outgoing junior as the second-best quarterback prospect and the 25th overall player in this year’s draft.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
Now, combined with the small sample size and the possibility that the Seahawks are using a different model for decision-making, perhaps Macdonald grades out better internally.
—Austin Mock, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
The Little Rock School District scored a C -- the same as 98 other districts across Arkansas -- when the state issued its first set of letter grades last week as part of a new rollout by the Arkansas Department of Education that grades each district individually, as opposed to only schools.
—Dmitry Martirosov, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2025
Pasco County Schools lists Mroz as a teacher at West Pasco Education Academy’s Harry Schwettman Campus in Hudson, which hosts grades 6 through 12.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
Among players who have lined up on the field for at least 150 snaps against the pass, Chambliss grades out as the 14th-best linebacker in the country, according to PFF.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
Eight schools in the district have three consecutive years of failing grades, from 2023-2025.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2026
The nonprofit is in fact amending its practices even further, with Binder later saying the group was removing relevant grades for nearly 500 hospitals that had also declined to participate in its surveys over the same period, which dated back to 2024.
—Trevor Bach, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026
Huseby said that almost all of the sixth-graders, about half of the seventh-graders and a quarter of the eighth-graders answer the question of the week, but all three grades engage in the silverware poll.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
Baltimore City students in grades 3 through 12 who engage in the cleanup will earn up to four service-learning hours.
—Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Students that are assigned a teacher that inflates grades are more likely to score poorly on future tests.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
Gomez spent most of her sentence teaching grades seven through 12, while Brinson taught grades four through six the next room over.
—Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
The Chancellor Gordon Brown reacted by cutting duty on ultra-low sulphur petrol, freezing duty on other grades of motor fuel, putting more vehicles into the lowest vehicle excise duty band — a tax cut for most lorries — and taxing foreign truckers using British roads.
—Ian King, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2026
The Montessori method, named for an Italian doctor in the early 20th century, prioritizes hands-on learning over grades or tests.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
Ipeirotis grades the exams separately, also with the help of AI.
—Jocelyn Gecker, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Each chef has to make their best dish in 75 minutes, and each judge grades them on taste, creativity, presentation, and technique for a maximum of 20 points per judge and 60 points total.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
Everyone, to some extent, grades their romantic partner on a curve, and relationships in which partners are especially inclined to do this may be particularly strong.
—Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
That is a more suitable spot for the Jets to select Simpson, according to Kiper, who grades the outgoing junior as the second-best quarterback prospect and the 25th overall player in this year’s draft.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
Now, combined with the small sample size and the possibility that the Seahawks are using a different model for decision-making, perhaps Macdonald grades out better internally.
—Austin Mock, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
The Little Rock School District scored a C -- the same as 98 other districts across Arkansas -- when the state issued its first set of letter grades last week as part of a new rollout by the Arkansas Department of Education that grades each district individually, as opposed to only schools.
—Dmitry Martirosov, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2025
Pasco County Schools lists Mroz as a teacher at West Pasco Education Academy’s Harry Schwettman Campus in Hudson, which hosts grades 6 through 12.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
Among players who have lined up on the field for at least 150 snaps against the pass, Chambliss grades out as the 14th-best linebacker in the country, according to PFF.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grades
Noun
-
Ultra Music Festival returned to Bayfront Park in downtown Miami for its second day Saturday, with music running from noon to midnight across seven stages.—
Miami Herald newsroom,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Borrowers will be contacted by their loan servicers in stages, with a new group receiving word every two weeks.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The worry is that high oil prices could keep the Federal Reserve and other central banks from cutting interest rates, which would give the global economy and prices for investments a boost.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The biggest driver of the recent uptick in mortgage rates has been the war with Iran, which has driven up energy prices and caused concerns that inflation will not subside.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Over the past four decades that followed its formation, Hezbollah has received billions of dollars in funding as well as different types of Iranian weapons.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
-
These are low-density regions, not regions completely devoid of all types of matter.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Pushback from your 7th House of Partnership rewards diplomacy that respects both schedules and standards, especially if someone can’t seem to make a solid decision.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Mar. 2026
-
According to Everlane’s most recent impact report—which came out last April—90 percent of materials used in 2024 met the company’s lower-impact, preferred standards of recycled, organic, responsible or FSC-certified.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Twin Lakes also stand out, huddled in their alpine embrace and flanked by proud granite slopes.—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
-
On the mountain slopes nearby, skiers stop for hot chocolate or an alcoholic spritz at an Alpine lodge where they are served by Riccardo Fiore, the grandson of the region's winter sport champions.—
Ruth Sherlock,
NPR,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Or one who ranks as the top up-and-comer in the country.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Thomas, a two-time MVP, played for the White Sox from 1990 to 2005, and is the team's career leader in home runs, doubles, RBI, and runs scored, and ranks in the team's top six in both hits and batting average.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The number of infants dying before their first birthday is on the decline in Mecklenburg County, but a recent report shows there is still room to address disparities across the region.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
-
At one point in the documentary, Suga, one of the group’s rappers, complains that there is too much English on the album.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Last year, Politico reported on leaked Telegram chats spanning seven months from leaders of Young Republican chapters in several states—chairs, vice chairs, and committee members exchanging racist and anti-Semitic messages.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The scenes and characters that each of us were drawn to were different too—so naturally the weight would shift between us depending on the scenes and chapters.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grades.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grades. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
