Definition of measurenext
1
2
as in amount
a given or particular mass or aggregate of matter each day prisoners were given only a small measure of rice to live on

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in criterion
something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared during the Renaissance, man came to be viewed as the measure of all things

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in rhythm
the recurrent pattern formed by a series of sounds having a regular rise and fall in intensity the song's soft, soothing measures make it a good lullaby

Synonyms & Similar Words

5

measure

2 of 2

verb

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 measure
Noun
The ballot measure, which would impose a one-time 5% tax on California billionaires to help fund healthcare, is failing by more than 8 percentage points. — Vanessa Martínez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026 Californians voted via ballot measures to uphold the death penalty in 2012 and 2016. — Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2026
Verb
Its gravity is not measured by a relatively short list of maimings and deaths, nor can it be written off as perception unsupported by data. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2026 The aircraft reportedly measures roughly twice the size of the Air Force’s first-generation CCA designs. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for measure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for measure
Noun
  • Analysts attributed elevated gas prices to ongoing fighting in the Middle East, which has damaged oil infrastructure and forced firms to take up costly means of transporting crude.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Only Washington, North Carolina and Oregon tracked rejection rates with enough detail to distinguish ballots received in the mail from those received by some other means, like a ballot drop box.
    — Ken B. Morales, ProPublica, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • This offers two operating modes, adjusting its intervention according to riding conditions and the amount of rear-wheel slip detected.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026
  • After answering a quick set of questions about your hair texture, skin tone, amount of grays, and so forth, a colorist whips up a bespoke batch of permanent or semi-permanent hair dye, complete with application tips, delivered right to your door.
    — Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 1 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The system also includes local behavioral experiments that can reward or punish people based on set criteria.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
  • In rare circumstances, when approved by supervisors, a chase outside those criteria is possible.
    — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The Heat needed to play much of the first half without Antetokounmpo because of foul trouble, and the two-time NBA MVP struggled to find a rhythm after that.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The unhurried rhythm is part of the draw for the fashion houses that have chosen to open here, as well as for the locals and travelers who come to explore.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Further, modifying the nanoparticle sizes, ligand chain lengths, or overall electrical charges allows full control over the resulting material.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The collection includes shoulder bags in two sizes as well as a top-handle style, but we’re particularly taken with the larger shoulder bag.
    — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Most of the helicopter was consumed by fire after the crash, so no meaningful data could be gleaned from the majority of the cockpit gauges, according to the report.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The calls and letters demanding payment may become more frequent, the language can become more urgent and the consequences of not paying can be harder to gauge.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The office regulates home and auto insurance rates — two costs that Californians are especially aware of — and the candidates campaigned on differing visions for the role.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The carbon overlayer regulates subsequent growth, potentially limiting uneven deposition and stabilizing the region where tin and lithium interact.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Its opening step requires two protons to combine, with one converting into a neutron through the weak nuclear interaction.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Measure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/measure. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on measure

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster