order 1 of 2

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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

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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

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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

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
After that, production would temporarily cease with operations idling until October 2025 in order to complete retooling work to prepare the facility for production of the 2026 model year. Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 14 Sep. 2025 While a single server can manage an entire cafe terrace and remember every order without writing them down, don't expect your verre de vin to arrive immediately. Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
Water poured in too fast for the crew to pump it out, and the ship's captain ordered the men into the yawl boat. Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 15 Sep. 2025 Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has ordered new measures to rebalance the capital’s real estate sector, launching Tawazon, a platform for Saudis who are married or over the age of 25 to apply for residential land. Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for order
Recent Examples of Synonyms for order
Noun
  • Costumed characters move in dreamlike sequences.
    David Hochman, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The arrow sequence, though, has a connection to video gaming, recognizably originating in a game called Helldivers 2, a science-fiction narrative similar to Robert Heinlein’s book Starship Troopers that covers fascistic themes.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Pilots allow organizations to learn, adapt, and de-risk before scaling up.
    Peter Bendor-Samuel, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • He has been convicted of plotting a coup and taking part in an armed criminal organization, among other serious crimes.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Previous recipients of the medal include Babe Ruth, Elvis Presley, Tiger Woods, Rush Limbaugh, Pope Francis, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Anna Wintour, Michelle Yeoh, and Denzel Washington.
    Brian Bennett, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The medal is the nation's highest civilian honor.
    Melissa Galbraith, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But another medieval shape-loving star is Sydney Sweeney, a friend of Sánchez-Bezos and one of her many celebrity wedding guests.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The Labubu keychains everyone is obsessed with are furry and come in different colors, shapes and sizes.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Each patient was given instructions to continue using the SPFs in the split-face study for the next four days, returning to the office every day for visual assessment.
    Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Follow evacuation instructions without delay.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The university said the campus is closed and classes are canceled until Monday.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • However, since school calendars in the city and county are generally set at the beginning of the calendar year, the special recall election was scheduled regardless of teacher in-service days, student class schedules and other events, Kieffer said.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • North was convicted in 1989 on three felony charges for helping to arrange the illicit sale of weapons to Iran and divert the proceeds to fund a secret war against anti-communist Contra rebels in Nicaragua.
    Josh Meyer, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Wegovy injection pens arranged in Waterbury, Vermont, US, on Monday, April 28, 2025.
    Karen Gilchrist,Katrina Bishop, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The letter requested an extension of the discovery deadline to accommodate Swift’s schedule.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The band has requested that a judge ensure that all marketing materials associated with the allegedly infringing products be recalled and removed.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Order.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/order. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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