RANGE Synonyms: 243 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'range' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of range are compass , gamut , orbit , scope , and sweep . While all these words mean "the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control)," range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities. // the entire range of human experience

Q: When might 'compass' be a better fit than 'range'?

Although the words compass and range have much in common, compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity. // your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

Q: When could 'gamut' be used to replace 'range'?

While the synonyms gamut and range are close in meaning, gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another. // a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

Q: Where would 'orbit' be a reasonable alternative to 'range'?

The meanings of orbit and range largely overlap; however, orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation. // within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

Q: When is 'scope' a more appropriate choice than 'range'?

While in some cases nearly identical to range , scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible. // as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sweep' instead of 'range'?

The synonyms sweep and range are sometimes interchangeable, but sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity. // the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

range 1 of 2

noun

ˈrānj

Definition of range next

as in pasture

open land over which livestock may roam and feed knew exactly how many head of cattle were turned out on the range that morning to graze

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in scope

an area over which activity, capacity, or influence extends didn't know she had such a wide range of knowledge until I talked to her

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as in spectrum

the distance or extent between possible extremes an actor who can go through the full range of emotion, from joy to sorrow, in mere minutes

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as in stroll

a relaxed journey on foot for exercise or pleasure they were stopped by security personnel while taking an innocent range through the palace grounds

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as in line

a series of persons or things arranged one behind another from the air, the mountain range stretched as far as we could see in both directions

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as in stove

an appliance that prepares food for consumption by heating it the high-end appliances include a professional-quality gas range

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as in habitat

the place where a plant or animal is usually or naturally found the American robin's winter range has steadily extended farther and farther north

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range

2 of 2

verb

as in to classify

to arrange or assign according to type the campers were ranged in patrols, each patrol consisting of girls in a certain age group

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to roam

to move about from place to place aimlessly she let her dog off the leash and whistled for him every now and then to make sure he didn't range out of hearing

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as in to vary

to occur within a continuous range of variation the color of Florida grapefruit can range anywhere from pale pink to ruby red

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as in to arrange

to put into a particular arrangement chairs were ranged round the perimeter of the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun range differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of range are compass, gamut, orbit, scope, and sweep. While all these words mean "the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control)," range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities.

the entire range of human experience

When might compass be a better fit than range?

Although the words compass and range have much in common, compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

When could gamut be used to replace range?

While the synonyms gamut and range are close in meaning, gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

Where would orbit be a reasonable alternative to range?

The meanings of orbit and range largely overlap; however, orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation.

within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

When is scope a more appropriate choice than range?

While in some cases nearly identical to range, scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

When is it sensible to use sweep instead of range?

The synonyms sweep and range are sometimes interchangeable, but sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

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 range

Noun

The companies deny the allegations, arguing that mental health outcomes are shaped by a range of factors beyond social media use. —

ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026 Talking in an interview about a range of topics, Elko became the latest person to advocate for a college football commissioner. —

Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026

Verb

One of the latest TikTok trends among parents is feeding babies butter in amounts ranging from spoonfuls to whole sticks. —

Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026 However, these were among six restaurants and one food truck in Broward and Palm Beach counties that made the emergency closure list, with issues ranging from roaches crawling around kitchens to employees not washing their hands (one after rubbing/smashing a dead roach with their fingers). —

Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for range

Recent Examples of Synonyms for range

Noun

Explore the growing fields, pastures, and wooded areas via a scenic hay ride.

— Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026
Shortly after that blow-up, Josh installed a gate on the road that runs through his property — the most direct route between the Collins’ home and the free-range pasture — and began posting about the ordeal online.

— Tessa Stuart, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026