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

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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
Air Zealand, too, will start cutting flights in the next couple of months in order to save on fuel, The New York Times reported. Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026 Establishing an entirely new and competing agency is merely the pursuit of a bureaucratic gravy train, and providing it with incentives to abuse power in order to boost its own coffers is an invitation to tyranny. Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
Authorities ordered the evacuation of all personnel and said any potential pollutants don’t pose a risk to nearby cities, the semi-official Fars news agency reported. Arsalan Shahla, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026 The group brings an optometrist to campus, meaning kids who need an eye exam can get one the same day and go home having gotten a prescription and ordered glasses. Kristen Hwang, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for order
Recent Examples of Synonyms for order
Noun
  • These could be arranged into longer, songlike sequences that played automatically.
    Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • There is one particularly inventive sequence that blends a rendering of Mario in his original 2D 8-bit form, blurry pixels and all, with the 3D beauty of the more modern iterations.
    Lindsey Bahr, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Guerrilla groups such as Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN), dissident FARC factions and Venezuelan criminal organizations operate across mining zones, frequently imposing taxes on miners and controlling pits through violence.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The area includes a nearly 4,000-gallon rehabilitation pool and an audio-visual display where visitors can learn more about the organization's rescue efforts.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In 2024, the government announced that several serving and former Australian military commanders had been stripped of medals over allegations of war crimes committed in Afghanistan.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Roberts-Smith became a household name across Australia when he was awarded the Victoria Cross in 2011, a medal reserved for only the most courageous wartime exploits.
    CBS News, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The pull-on waistband hits around the belly button, and the slightly wide-leg sweatpant shape feels relaxed without veering into bell-bottom territory.
    Malia Griggs, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2026
  • By pretty much every metric — student loan debt, credit scores, rates of homeownership — those who left were in worse financial shape than their neighbors, prompting them to leave for a better economic climate.
    Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The MorphoScan scale comes with an instruction manual and a USB-A-to-USB-C charging cable, but no wall brick.
    Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Gardeners should carefully read and follow label instructions and avoid applying treatments when pollinators are most active.
    Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Even the more politically active class of nonprofits — 501(c)(4) groups, like the relatively new American Hunters and Anglers — can’t make political activity its primary activity.
    Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Tune into yourself while tuning out the outside world courtesy of an E-bike ride under the Tuscan sun, a stroll through the olive groves, a dip in the infinity pool, a meditative massage, or a private cooking class using ingredients sourced from the property.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The concierge specializes in Kyoto’s cultural events, and can help access exclusive ochaya with an interpreter, score tickets to the theater, book dinner reservations, a huge help in Kyoto, or help arrange meetings with monks and priests at the city’s Shinto shrines and temples.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2026
  • These could be arranged into longer, songlike sequences that played automatically.
    Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Defense attorneys requested the change of venue to Tarrant County, arguing that Horner could not get a fair trial in Wise County.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Officers began life-saving measures and requested an ambulance to respond to the scene.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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