order 1 of 2

Definition of ordernext
1
as in sequence
the way objects in space or events in time are arranged or follow one another you always keep your books in perfect alphabetical order we haven't found out the order of the speeches yet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in type
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common collects movie posters, photographs and autographs of the stars, and other memorabilia of that order

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in medal
a piece of metal given in honor of a special event, a person, or an achievement a book with full-color illustrations of British orders and decorations

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
6
7
as in class
one of the segments of society into which people are grouped the lower orders were once expected to be content living out their lives as servants to the upper classes

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8

order

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to request
to give a request or demand for the players ordered hamburgers for lunch

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in to ask
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority the teacher ordered that everyone sit down immediately and be quiet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb order contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of order are arrange, marshal, methodize, organize, and systematize. While all these words mean "to put persons or things into their proper places in relation to each other," order suggests a straightening out so as to eliminate confusion.

ordered her business affairs

Where would arrange be a reasonable alternative to order?

The words arrange and order are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, arrange implies a setting in sequence, relationship, or adjustment.

arranged the files numerically

When can marshal be used instead of order?

The meanings of marshal and order largely overlap; however, marshal suggests gathering and arranging in preparation for a particular operation or effective use.

marshaling the facts for argument

When would methodize be a good substitute for order?

While in some cases nearly identical to order, methodize suggests imposing an orderly procedure rather than a fixed scheme.

methodizes every aspect of daily living

When might organize be a better fit than order?

In some situations, the words organize and order are roughly equivalent. However, organize implies arranging so that the whole aggregate works as a unit with each element having a proper function.

organized the volunteers into teams

In what contexts can systematize take the place of order?

The synonyms systematize and order are sometimes interchangeable, but systematize implies arranging according to a predetermined scheme.

systematized billing procedures

How does the verb order contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of order are arrange, marshal, methodize, organize, and systematize. While all these words mean "to put persons or things into their proper places in relation to each other," order suggests a straightening out so as to eliminate confusion.

ordered her business affairs

Where would arrange be a reasonable alternative to order?

The words arrange and order are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, arrange implies a setting in sequence, relationship, or adjustment.

arranged the files numerically

When can marshal be used instead of order?

The meanings of marshal and order largely overlap; however, marshal suggests gathering and arranging in preparation for a particular operation or effective use.

marshaling the facts for argument

When would methodize be a good substitute for order?

While in some cases nearly identical to order, methodize suggests imposing an orderly procedure rather than a fixed scheme.

methodizes every aspect of daily living

When might organize be a better fit than order?

In some situations, the words organize and order are roughly equivalent. However, organize implies arranging so that the whole aggregate works as a unit with each element having a proper function.

organized the volunteers into teams

In what contexts can systematize take the place of order?

The synonyms systematize and order are sometimes interchangeable, but systematize implies arranging according to a predetermined scheme.

systematized billing procedures

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 order
Noun
The argument will be that some form of peace-keeping force will be necessary to restore order in the country and keep it from re-radicalizing. Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026 Windshield wipers In Texas, any operating motor vehicle must have functioning windshield wipers in order to pass an inspection. Hedija Spahalic, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
As state corrections director, Franzen ordered a shakedown at Stateville and fired two wardens at the facility in an effort to root out corruption. Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026 The appeals court ordered a new trial after ruling jurors improperly heard contested portions of a police interrogation and testimony questioning Negroponte’s credibility. Michael Dorgan , Danielle Wallace, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for order
Recent Examples of Synonyms for order
Noun
  • They were first trained to execute specific movements, and later distilled into a single unified controller that uses visual inputs to plan and coordinate the sequence of actions a robot should take to navigate obstacles efficiently in its environment.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Every day had its thing — obviously, the bear attack sequence.
    Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Sosnovenko works with Voices of Children, a Ukrainian organization that provides psychological support and documents children's experiences in the country during the yearslong war with Russia.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Mainstream media organizations were quick to publish the files’ most significant findings, but TikTokers have continued to pore over the less public pages.
    Taylor Lorenz, Vanity Fair, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Before the exhibit, both the ring and medal had been displayed in a glass case at a cousin’s auto body shop near Honolulu.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
  • She was awarded a presidential medal from President Barack Obama in 2015 and was among Glamour Magazine’s 2018 Women of the Year honorees.
    Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The invention is engineered to recover its original shape and position once the shaking stops.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Group trailing plants by a sunny window for a maximalist jungle-lush look indoors—just be sure to vary the foliage shapes for visual balance.
    Johanna Silver, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Once the pedestrians are out of the way, the car slowly pulls into the intersection before stopping again as the HSI agents approach, shouting instructions for the driver to stop.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Despite these declines, Massachusetts still ranks relatively high compared to other states, but risks falling behind states that have recently improved their literacy instruction, including Mississippi and Florida.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The North's official Korean Central News Agency said Kim, during his visits to the western shipyard of Nampo on Tuesday and Wednesday, also inspected the construction of a third destroyer of the same class as his 5,000-ton warship, the Choe Hyon, first unveiled in April 2025.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Attorneys Bradley Gage and Benjamin Crump filed a class-action lawsuit against the city in 2021 that remains ongoing.
    Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The partnership formed only after Wimbledon, arranged through Tien’s agent, despite the two having lived in the same Southern California tennis orbit for years without ever meeting.
    Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Brick villas arranged in clusters have rooms in browns and creams; most come with balconies facing the Red Sea.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The attorneys have requested a temporary restraining order from the court, which would halt the law’s enforcement while the legal challenge plays out.
    David Williams, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
  • The department is requesting that anyone with information contact the agency.
    Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Order.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/order. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

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