1
as in to be
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 to classify
to arrange or assign according to type
most critics would rank him among our best actors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in ranking
the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement
attained the highest rank in the Freemasons
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in dignity
high position within society
remembered as a woman of rank who socialized only with other members of the elite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in category
usually ranks plural
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
1
as in rampant
growing thickly and vigorously
covered with trumpet vines so rank you couldn't see the trellis beneath them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stinking
having an unpleasant smell
smokes rank cigars that usually send me running for fresh air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obvious
very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad
the article about fairy tales was full of rank errors, such as a reference to "Cinderella biting into the poisoned apple"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in absolute
having no exceptions or restrictions
a sidewalk sale of art works by rank amateurs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 rank
Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 19 June 2025
In May 2024, the largest solar flare since 2017 was detected, ranking at an X-8.7 magnitude.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 June 2025
Carlo Versano
jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
After the second strike, which came shortly after Israel severely degraded the upper ranks of Hizbollah in Lebanon—the most powerful of Iran’s proxies—Israel targeted Iranian air defences and missile production facilities, facing little resistance or response.
—Ali Vaez, Time, 14 June 2025
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Only Tokio is expected to remain, albeit in rank 3, while Osaka/Kyoto is expected to fall as far as rank 13 by 2040, down from formerly rank 3.
—Katharina Buchholz, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rank
Verb
Getty Images Ana Nicholls, EIU's Director of Industry Analysis, tells CNBC Make It that the reason Copenhagen ranked No. 1 was partly due to its higher score in the culture and environment category, which encompasses aspects such as bars, restaurants, sporting events, and occasions.
—Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 19 June 2025
In May 2024, the largest solar flare since 2017 was detected, ranking at an X-8.7 magnitude.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 June 2025
Noun
Right-Wing Reaction: 'Moral Ambiguity When Clarity Was Needed' Even many Republicans broke ranks to criticize Trump.
—Carlo Versano
jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
After the second strike, which came shortly after Israel severely degraded the upper ranks of Hizbollah in Lebanon—the most powerful of Iran’s proxies—Israel targeted Iranian air defences and missile production facilities, facing little resistance or response.
—Ali Vaez, Time, 14 June 2025
Adjective
Both of those slots now rank as new peaks for the decades-old title.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Only Tokio is expected to remain, albeit in rank 3, while Osaka/Kyoto is expected to fall as far as rank 13 by 2040, down from formerly rank 3.
—Katharina Buchholz, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank
Verb
-
Inside the Piloti Ferrari 296 Speciale, the racing seats are made of Alcantara, there is extra carbon fiber, and the seat inserts contain fireproof fabric that is also used for Le Mans drivers.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
16 June 2025
-
There were transfer kids available, who were good kids who wanted to come after Spencer left.—
Bruce Feldman,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Verb
-
Geomagnetic storms are classified using a G-scale, which ranks their intensity from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme).—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
12 June 2025
-
One half of respondents say price increases have caused financial hardships for them or their household, with 16% classifying it as serious hardship.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2025
Noun
-
The set reappears highest on the Official Albums Streaming ranking, coming in at No. 79.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
In June 2022, Lame dethroned Charli D’Amelio atop the TikTok rankings and has held the spot ever since.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
Privacy by design: Technology should be built to protect people’s dignity.—
Aislinn Conrad,
The Conversation,
13 June 2025
-
This sweet spot is not about compromise but about integration—understanding that strategic objectives and human dignity are not competing priorities but complementary dimensions of organizational success.—
Joseph Folkman,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Noun
-
After struggling against the lowly Los Angeles Angels for the third game in a row, the Yankees are searching for answers at the plate without a clear solution in sight.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
-
Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals lost to the Penguins in the second round for the (checks notes) 38th season in a row.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
The reigning brand champion in the category is Johnnie Walker, which has dominated global whiskey sales throughout the 21st Century.—
Brad Japhe,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
-
Viju Mathew Shifting gears from his degree in physical geography, Viju Mathew has spent the last decade covering most categories of the luxury market prior to becoming Robb Report's automotive editor.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
Cyberattacks against companies have been rampant for years, but a string of attacks on retail companies have raised awareness of the issue because the breaches can impact customers.—
Ani Freedman,
Fortune,
20 June 2025
-
A lot of those respondents claimed to dislike the technology — but its widespread adoption implies a subtle incursion, and the implications of this rampant use are devastating.—
Sheldon Pearce,
NPR,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
This is about a team with a top-10 payroll whose GM committed too stinking much of it to dogs that can’t, or won’t, pull the sled.—
Sean Keeler,
The Denver Post,
22 Dec. 2019
-
Muttaiah said the man inside the stinking manhole was working without any safety equipment — no gloves, no shoes, no supplemental oxygen.—
Joanna Slater,
Washington Post,
16 Dec. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Rank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share