range 1 of 2

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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
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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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

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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

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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

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
Soup and meatballs on the steam table also measured outside of the temperature range considered safe. Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025 At the Centre for Neuro Skills, Kevin participated in a range of therapies, including physical, occupational, speech and recreational therapy, as well as counseling. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
The subspecies, Panthera tigris sondaica, had fur that ranged from dark orange to sepia, with fewer and narrower stripes than other tiger subspecies. Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025 The university’s Center for the Arts has a robust schedule or performances that range from dance to theater to visiting musicians and singers. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for range
Recent Examples of Synonyms for range
Noun
  • Drought reduces available pasture and forage, leaving ranchers without enough grass to sustain their herds and forcing them to rely on costly supplemental feed that can quickly become unaffordable.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
  • More than 100 miles of trails wind through forests and traverse mountain meadows and alpine pastures on the hillsides above Lake Maggiore.
    Lisa Kadane, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The district has budgeted $10 million for a scope of work at CDM that includes transforming classrooms into new modern learning studios, improvements to the building including a new roof, fresh paint and a heating ventilation and air conditioning system replacement.
    Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Antisemites denounced Jews both as capitalists and as communists—two creeds international in scope.
    Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Now, legal experts from across the political spectrum, as well as current DOJ officials, are questioning why the Biden DOJ pursued the case in the first place.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Ultimately, Sonder aims to challenge narrow definitions of masculinity by presenting a spectrum of intimacy and tension, and by highlighting its fluidity.
    Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Either way, this season’s suede trend is the rare mix of practical and polished—perfect for city strolls, weekend trips, and even airport outfits.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Eventually, the couple made it to the Sunshine State and began their trip with a leisurely stroll on the beach.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Reading between the lines of his comments, Stefanski may not have wanted to expose Gabriel, who's second on Cleveland's depth chart, to such a stymieing Green Bay defense.
    Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Sep. 2025
  • The decision Monday came in line with economists’ expectations that Chinese authorities would hold off major stimulus measures amid a recent stock market rally, even as a string of economic data underscored signs of fatigue in the economy.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Or upgrade your tableside setup with a portable camp stove and butane cans.
    Irene Yoo September 26, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Why not add a little more sunshine to your table with a fresh batch of English muffins hot off the stove?
    Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The morning kicked off behind the Rose Creek Cottage and was one of many activities hosted by Friends of Rose Creek, an organization aimed at preserving the natural habitat and connecting community members.
    Madison Beveridge, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
  • That requires mining all over the planet, much of it involving widespread destruction of croplands and wildlife habitats, extensive child and slave labor, and enormous amounts of toxic air and water pollution.
    Craig Rucker, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • At the time, that specimen was classified as Harpiola grisea, a related species.
    Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
  • The Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service and other federal law enforcement agencies also would participate in investigations, and Attorney General Pam Bondi is directed to submit a list of groups to classify as domestic terrorist organizations.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Range.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/range. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

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