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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
During the process, on orders from Moscow, operators would be testing the turbines’ backup power system. Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026 Right-hander Corbin Martin retired the Dodgers in order for his first save of the season. Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
While a judge soon ordered Lee freed, Stovall appealed to the California Supreme Court, which ruled in his favor. Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2026 On particularly hot summer days, order a root beer float or banana split to cool off. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for order
Recent Examples of Synonyms for order
Noun
  • One final metric that explains the nature of Bromley’s style is their passing sequences.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Kormákur takes full advantage of the country’s dramatic landscapes and dense bushlands, the latter making ideal terrain for Sasha’s initial flight, a pulse-racing sequence that has her sprinting through the trees like a blur.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Charles is expected to visit a grassroots community organization, Harlem Grown, which created a sustainable after-school ​urban farming initiative in an effort to combat food insecurity.
    Emma Caughlan, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
  • In the past decade, the leadership of the Kinahan organization has become rich and cosmopolitan, and their life styles have started to resemble those of international businessmen more than of street hoodlums.
    Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Tracie Ruiz-Conforto won three medals — two golds and one silver — in dual and individual synchronized swimming at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympics as one of the most dominant athletes in her sport during that era.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Her post also included a video of the group reacting to their win, followed by a selfie of Hudson, 25, and a teammate with their medal.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • While these tools remain limited, they have been explored deeply over the past few decades — not just for the sake of ultrafinitism, but because sorting out the shape of things is important for developing a finite physics.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The Keys sink into tunes by RL Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, and Jessie Mae Hemphill, with second guitarist Kenny Brown and multi-instrumentalist Jimbo Mathus adding depth and shape.
    Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Gukesh’s calm at the board was buttressed by an unusual focus in his training, on psychology, alongside the more traditional tactical and strategic instruction.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Start with a fertilizer program of once in March, May and October using an 8-0-12-4Mg for palms developed by the University of Florida following label instructions.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • One complicating factor of this draft class is the consensus blue-chip prospects are largely at positions that aren’t as valuable to NFL teams than the ones that command the most money on the open market.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Freeling’s one of the players in this class who is a natural left tackle.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • According to court documents, transport for the embryo is being arranged for early May.
    Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Jones also irritated House leaders by ignoring a plan to continue using Georgia's voting machines for one more year until replacements can be arranged, creating the possibility of a dicey election-season special session.
    CBS News, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Storms' former spouse, who first filed the restraining order in December, is also requesting that the Disney Channel alum undergo a mental health evaluation, People reports.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Neither the defense nor the prosecution requested such an order; Dawkins issued it on her own initiative.
    Jamie Kalven, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Order.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/order. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on order

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