1
as in is
to take or have a certain position within a group arranged in vertical classes
my favorite pitcher ranks first in the league for number of consecutive outs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in groups
to arrange or assign according to type
most critics would rank him among our best actors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in league
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic
this book will someday join the ranks of the world's great novels
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 ranks
Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Miso ranks high on my own list of fun ingredients.
—Ashia Aubourg, Outside, 10 Feb. 2026
Obama ranks among the top 10 alongside great men like Lincoln and Washington.
—Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 10 Feb. 2026
That ranks 75th nationally and seventh in the SEC.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Chief Deputy Chris Ketteman, who ranks just below the sheriff, decides whether each complaint warrants an internal affairs investigation or can be handled by a supervisor.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Feb. 2026
His 42nd-minute strike was his second and Arsenal’s eighth league goal from outside the box this season, which ranks them third of the Premier League teams (behind Bournemouth’s 11 and Aston Villa’s 13) for that metric.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
More minority coaching programs are needed in the NFL and the college ranks, for both coaching and front office roles.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
Here's where South Dakota ranks The year-over-year rent increases nationwide have slowed after hitting a peak of nearly 9% in early 2023, dropping to less than 4% in late 2025, according to the report.
—Chris Mueller, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 3 Feb. 2026
Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
But as their robotic ranks swell, there have been an increasing number of incidents pitting man against machine, from sidewalk standoffs and traffic jams to a handful of collisions.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Lawmakers in European powerhouse Germany have approved a government plan to attract more military recruits as the country tries to boost the ranks of its armed forces in the face of rising concern about the threat posed by Russia.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
Such efforts have surfaced as the ranks of the annual Super Bowl ad roster have swelled to include more start-ups and first-time entrants.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 8 Feb. 2026
In the same breath, Cosgrove praised Diggins for being vulnerable throughout her rise up the ranks, such as sharing her struggle with an eating disorder, which has played a role in inspiring the next generation to face their own struggles.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026
But a reduction of two females from those ranks could push the state back to an earlier level of the plan, which carries more stringent restrictions.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026
The Flint promotion scandal, which tainted at least seven promotions between 2019 and 2023, remains a source of mutual distrust inside the Michigan State Police's top ranks, records show.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Dell is her stream's dungeon master, banishing those who don't abide by her terms and steadily rising up the platform's ranks with her sympathetic story and angry-funny screen presence.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
Here's what countries pay their medalists and where the US ranks.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Miso ranks high on my own list of fun ingredients.
—Ashia Aubourg, Outside, 10 Feb. 2026
Obama ranks among the top 10 alongside great men like Lincoln and Washington.
—Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 10 Feb. 2026
That ranks 75th nationally and seventh in the SEC.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Chief Deputy Chris Ketteman, who ranks just below the sheriff, decides whether each complaint warrants an internal affairs investigation or can be handled by a supervisor.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Feb. 2026
His 42nd-minute strike was his second and Arsenal’s eighth league goal from outside the box this season, which ranks them third of the Premier League teams (behind Bournemouth’s 11 and Aston Villa’s 13) for that metric.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
More minority coaching programs are needed in the NFL and the college ranks, for both coaching and front office roles.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
Here's where South Dakota ranks The year-over-year rent increases nationwide have slowed after hitting a peak of nearly 9% in early 2023, dropping to less than 4% in late 2025, according to the report.
—Chris Mueller, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
The files have created some genuine issues for news organizations, whose ranks are filled with individuals with whom Epstein hoped to forge personal connections.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
But as their robotic ranks swell, there have been an increasing number of incidents pitting man against machine, from sidewalk standoffs and traffic jams to a handful of collisions.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Lawmakers in European powerhouse Germany have approved a government plan to attract more military recruits as the country tries to boost the ranks of its armed forces in the face of rising concern about the threat posed by Russia.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
Such efforts have surfaced as the ranks of the annual Super Bowl ad roster have swelled to include more start-ups and first-time entrants.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 8 Feb. 2026
In the same breath, Cosgrove praised Diggins for being vulnerable throughout her rise up the ranks, such as sharing her struggle with an eating disorder, which has played a role in inspiring the next generation to face their own struggles.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026
But a reduction of two females from those ranks could push the state back to an earlier level of the plan, which carries more stringent restrictions.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026
The Flint promotion scandal, which tainted at least seven promotions between 2019 and 2023, remains a source of mutual distrust inside the Michigan State Police's top ranks, records show.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Dell is her stream's dungeon master, banishing those who don't abide by her terms and steadily rising up the platform's ranks with her sympathetic story and angry-funny screen presence.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ranks
Verb
-
There is no efficient transport of material in-and-out of the core, and thus, most of the star’s interior never gets a chance to fuse simply because of its location.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
-
While there is broad agreement that the nine-member presidential council should step aside after failing to make headway against gangs or oversee the organization of elections, consensus has broken down over what and who should replace it.—
JACQUELINE CHARLES MIAMI HERALD,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
After that setback, the Seahawks lost their edge to stay ahead of a league designed to keep pulling teams toward the middle.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In a league where everyone is constantly predicting the demise of the running back position, Walker is proof that the old ways still work.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
To address this problem, XPRO Jets Charters’ service model places an emphasis on improving the onboard experience through higher-quality food and service standards.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Díaz places the artist within a long tradition of Puerto Rican protest that uses dance, music and celebration to generate political action.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Sturm has an acquaintance who classifies the bumper position as a diamond.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
While there are some differences in how HBO and Nielsen collect their viewing data, the most likely explanation lies in how Nielsen classifies the show for its streaming rankings and Heated Rivalry’s release schedule.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As the first Brazilian nominee in the category — a milestone that lives beside his historic Golden Globe win — his presence alone marks a meaningful moment.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Researchers classified low-fat or low-carb diets into 5 categories, including total, healthy, unhealthy, animal or vegetable.—
Barbara Mantel,
NBC news,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Comparing offensive and defensive units, Seattle rates a slight edge with each.—
Hank Gola,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The district has shifted from likely Republican to likely Democratic, according to Sabato’s Crystal Ball, a nonpartisan organization that rates House races.—
Mathew Miranda
February 3,
Sacbee.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Robby relegates Langdon to triage for now — there’s less of a chance the two will run into each other that way.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Ed’s high-paying job allows (or relegates) Jess to be a stay-at-home mum, her life devoted to (and circumscribed by) her children.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Officers learned that a group known to each other got into an altercation resulting from an ongoing dispute, the police said.—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Al Hilal impressed at the Club World Cup, drawing 1-1 with Madrid while going unbeaten in the group stage and then knocking out Manchester City 4-3 in the round of 16.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ranks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ranks. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
