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
The administration’s language would establish a range of mandatory minimum sentences based on the amount of loss involved in fraud schemes, according to the document. — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026 As Madison explains, picking her first post-Oscar gig definitely stressed her out, but her desire to grow her career and range (a la Cate Blanchett and Isabelle Huppert) helped push her to take on the project. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
Five British nationals ranging in age from 23 to 25 were arrested Sunday on suspicion of a terrorist plot near the Royal Air Force Fairford Base outside Gloucestershire. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026 These pumps were finished in satin shades ranging from jewel tones to more neutral hues. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for range
Recent Examples of Synonyms for range
Noun
  • After coffee, visitors can head into the pasture to meet goats and fluffy Highland cows.
    — Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The 43-room red-brick hotel shares its vast 375 acres with an 18-hole golf course, a spa, as well as a cricket ground and horse pastures.
    — Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The scope of the benefits and final costs will come once a developer is chosen.
    — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026
  • If a price may change because of materials, scope or another variable, say so early.
    — Levi King, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Baptist Health treats more breast cancer patients than any other health system in South Florida, giving its teams extensive experience caring for women across the full spectrum of the disease.
    — Baptist Health, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The study also omits key context her research has found which shows that approval for political violence shows up on both sides of the spectrum for people with the strongest partisan identities.
    — Lisa Hagen, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Just south of the property, take a longer stroll to visit the famous Tsukiji Fish Market or about 10 minutes north to catch a train at Tokyo Station.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Jewel-case clutches, basket bags, vanity cases and new cylindrical bag silhouettes were displayed alongside kitten heels, pumps and sandals designed for a stroll along the Mediterranean.
    — Katie Abel, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The line as verb replaces the orthogonal, producing—in relation to a succession of horizons—multiple centers.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The starting point to incorporate his art was the brand’s shield, which reminded Hirst of a butterfly with its single line of symmetry.
    — Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Concentrations were generally highest immediately beside the stove and near the updraft of the smoke-clearing ventilation hoods, where cooks and chefs are typically working.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • After 30 minutes of ordinary gas stove use, nitrogen dioxide levels in more than half of kitchens rose above 100 ppb, the threshold used in the EPA’s one-hour outdoor air standard.
    — Carol J. Williams, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Development and wildfires have destroyed swaths of the plants’ habitat, while climate change is threatening to make much of what remains inhospitable.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The new definition removes an interpretation that had been used for half a century, and upheld by the Supreme Court, that harming an endangered species includes eliminating that species’ habitat.
    — Timothy Randhir, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The shoe is classified as a sandal style, but comes up to the knees like a boot.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 4 Oct. 2026
  • To classify the upcoming back-to-back games as a test for the cornerbacks would be an understatement.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Range.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/range. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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