Definition of rangenext
1
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
2
3
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
5
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

6
as in stove
an appliance that prepares food for consumption by heating it the high-end appliances include a professional-quality gas range

Synonyms & Similar Words

7
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

range

2 of 2

verb

1
2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

4

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
Negri scored unassisted from long range in the 34th minute to give Houston the lead for good. ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 Philadelphia came out aggressive in the second half, took control of the game, and tied it in the 58th minute on a close-range header from Neil Pierre on a cross from Milan Iloski after a free kick. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
Doubting job descriptions and scanning for scams Candidates have more trust in job postings when companies share clear salary ranges as well as transparent expectations around workload and hours, a new Monster report found. Rachel Barber, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 These properties, ranging from the Colorado Rockies to the Tennessee wilderness, offer world-class hiking that starts at your doorstep. Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for range
Recent Examples of Synonyms for range
Noun
  • The model credits pasture for taking up carbon but does not count the carbon carried away in wool and livestock as leaving the system.
    Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The cattle shortage has been worsened by drought and the resulting pressure on pasture and feed costs.
    Joshua Hong, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Negotiate the timeline, clarify the scope, and put the agreement in friendly writing.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The claim was allowed to stand because it was filed in a civil action outside the scope of church control, meaning that the abstention doctrine did not apply, the appeals court justices wrote.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Matte White On the other end of the spectrum is matte white, which isn’t glossy but instead appears soft and powdery, Bennett explains.
    Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 21 Aug. 2026
  • At the other end of the spectrum, a single courtside seat for the men’s finals was going for $29,000 in August, and that’s despite rumors that the two top male players, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, may withdraw because of injuries.
    Ben Ryder Howe, Curbed, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Built on the cliffs just a short stroll from the buzz of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, Villa Dubrovnik looks out across the turquoise Adriatic to Lokrum Island on one side, and the city’s historic terra-cotta rooftops on the other.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • News after they were seen holding hands together during a neighborhood stroll.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Both the private-label line and the wider retail assortment were initially available in 150 Old Navy stores in a grab-and-go concept, with 45 of those stores also featuring dedicated beauty shops-in-shop as part of the pilot.
    Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • With Javonte Williams leading the backfield and a solid offensive line giving Prescott time in the pocket, Dallas has all the firepower needed to rank near the top of the league in total yardage and points once again.
    David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The previous owners’ blue kitchen would have to go, but Appleton and Rafter preserved the island’s stone top, the window shutters, and the black Aga stove—a staple of an English country house.
    Laura Regensdorf, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The kitchen became even hotter whenever the family cooked on the gas stove.
    Destenie Nock, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Golden mussels can eradicate fish populations and erode delta habitats, and California farmers could lose their water.
    Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • During his visit, Lee stopped by to see Limbani in his temporary habitat.
    Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The blaze was quickly upgraded to a third-alarm fire, which is classified as a major emergency that requires a high level of response.
    Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The ranking measures the most popular tracks classified as both Latin and rhythm, according to Billboard, with the melding of the styles encompassing pieces of other subgenres as well, including reggaeton and Latin hip-hop.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Range.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/range. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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